The Ordway new era., 1920-07-30

UEBEC, the cradle of New
France, will celebrate its four
hundredth birthday within
few years. 1t is the oldest
city in North America. and its story
is not only history but romance. 1t
is unique city, standing alone as a
sort of historical hyphen between
the days that are and the days long
gone by, which cannot be duplicated
either in the old world or the new.
Jacques Cartier, n sailor of St Malo
In France, discovered its site in 1888.
He was the first white man TO set foot
upon the soil of Canada, the name of
which is derived from "kanata." the
Indian word meaning "A Collection of
Huts." Two years later Cartier made
second voyage TO the st. Lawrence
and became friendly with Donnacona.
an Indian chief who was ruler of
Stadncona, a village which then oc-
cupied part of the present site of
Quebec.
Following Cartier came Champlain,
Frontenac, La Sale. and scores of 9th
er intrepid soldiers of fortune. who
founded and built the city, fought with
the Indians. and explored the Great
Lakes. the Mississippi river and vast
areas of the Interior of the United
States, which were named Louisiana
by La Sale.
in Quebec. Its Inhabitants spoke
French more than three centuries ago.
and the majority Of them still speak
the same language. Many old build
ings with romantic histories are still
to be seen, and in striking contrast to
them are splendid buildings of modern
construction.
"What a Beak7"
When Carriers sailors first sighted
Cape Diamond. mighty crag pro-
jecting into the st. Lawrence, and
said to have exclaimed. "Quel Bee"
meaning "What beak." This. ac-
cording to some authorities. Is how
Quebec got Its name. The first set
tlement at Quebec was on the shore
at the foot of Cape Diamond. and
later Frontenac built the Chateau st.
Louis, a combination OF residence and
fort, on the heights above. The early
French settlers of Quebec were al
most constantly harried by the fero-
cious IrOquois, who many times killed
the outposts and charged the stockade
surrounding the fort itself. despite the
fact that it was defended by small
arms and cannon. The Iroquois came
from what is now New York state,
and from time to time French soldiers
and their Indian allies, the HurOns,
crossed the st. Lawrence and pene-
trated the wildernesses over which the
IroquOIs roamed. destroying their vii
lagos as a matter OF reprisal.
Dufferin Terrace. Quebec's favorite
promenade of today, overlooking the
vast stretches OF the st. Lawrence,
was the scene of numerous Indian at
tacks. A big hotel closely resembling
an old French chateau now stands on
st. LOUIS and part of the cellar Of this
famous fort is still to be seen beneath
the planking of the Terrace. When
Sir william Phipps' fleet sailed up the
st. Lawrence In 1890 and demanded
Quebec's surrender. COmte de From
tenac the cholerfc and valiant French
governor. replied to the summons, II
will answer you from the mouths Of
these cannon"
Phipps opened fire from the river
and Frontenac's guns replied from the
heights with such good aim that the
English feet retired. In the lower
town today stands a picturesque lit
tie church, Notre-Dame des Victories,
which was struck by some of the Eng
lish cannon balls. and received It's
name from the victory over Phipps and
for another deliverance In I'LL when
second English fleet under Sir Ho-
venden Walker was almost wholly de-
strOyed by a storm In the Gulf OF st.
Lawrence while on its way to attack
Quebec. Wolfe's batteries at Lewis,
across the river, also partially de-
stroyed II in 1859. Notre Dame
square, upon which this church faces,
Is the Oldest part Of Quebec. Here
stood Champlain's "Habltation,"
house and fort and the first building
erected In 1908 when Champlain found
ed the city. All traces OF 1t have
long since disappeared. and even the
place where the intrepid soldier gov
prnOr was buri,rI IL unknown