The Fowler Block in Baldur, MB was built in 1899 by Alex Fowler.
Custodial History
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of Alex Fowler standing at the counter in his store. The shelves behind him are stacked with tins of dry good, while the shelves to his side are stacked with china and glass items. The post office operated out of the back of the store.
American Horse 'Wasechum Taschunka' (1840-1908). 'Wasechum Taschunka' took on the name American Horse following the death of his uncle ate the Battle of Slim Buttes. During the reservation days, he was considered a notable progressive and became a head Oglala spokesman. As an orator and diplomat, he represented his people in numerous negotiations with the federal government. Following the tragedy of Wounded Knee he became the leader of a unified Sioux delegation which traveled to Washington seeking a more equitable treatment for the Sioux. In his later years he traveled with Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Annie Oakley (1860-1926). Standing barely five feet tall, Annie Oakley toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for 17 years after joining it in 1885. While on European tour, and at the invitation of German Crown Prince Wilhelm (later Kaiser Wilhelm II) Annie shot a cigarette from his lips; she was also known to sever a playing card, thin edge facing her, at 90 feet. Many of her records established with pistols, rifles and shotguns remain unequaled to this day. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Archibald E. Wilson was the son of Reverend E.F. Wilson and the husband of St. Clair Vidal Wilson. Rev. E.F. Wilson was at one time in charge of the Shingwauk and Wawanosh Homes at Sault Ste. Marie. Rev. E.F. Wilson moved to Elkhorn, Manitoba in 1888, to establish an educational home for Indian children. He was joined by his son, Archibald E. Wilson who was, in 1890, appointed assistant to the superintendent. A.E. Wilson became Principal of the Indian Industrial School in 1892. His wife served as Matron of the girls departments. Togerher they had three daughters: E.F. Metita, Winifred St. Clair and Murial Grace, as well as two sons: Edward Vidal, and St. Clair Vidal Wilson.
Archibald Wilson and his family lived in Elkhorn, Manitoba during the years 1892 to 1918 while he was principal. At the beginning of his term as Principal there were 12 students enrolled; enrollment reached as high as 95 students, representing eight different nations. In February of 1918, the government withdrew funding and the school closed. In September of 1918, Wilson left Elkhorn to take up his new position as a clerk at an Indian Reserve near Gleichen, Alberta.
During its years of operation, the Elkhorn Industrial School included an Athletic department, a curling team and a boys' football team. Students studied carpentry, shoemaking, harness making, tailoring, knitting and sewing. In 1893, the school was presented with a large Canadian flag for being the best Industrial School in Manitoba and the Territories. In November of 1893, a brass band was established, which provided music for the local Anglican Chruch. After a fire demolished most of the school in 1895, Wilson convinced the Federal Department of Indian Affairs to rebuild the school. In 1899, the Elkhorn Industrial School was reopened.
Custodial History
Most of this fonds was at one time in the possession of Principal A.E. Wilson. After Wilson passed away the pieces of the fonds were kept by one of his daughters, Winifred St. Clair Wilson, now deceased. Winifred married Mr. Frank Clark, M.D. and kept the fonds when she moved to Vancouver B.C. and then to Calgary, Alberta. Winifred Clark eventually donated the fonds to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes four journals, one testimonial and one newspaper article. The journals include: the ‘7th Annual Report of the Washakada Indian Homet 1895-1896,' written by Principal A.E. Wilson; ‘The Greater Britain Messenger’ September and October 1899, which includes the article ‘The Elkhorn Home, Manitoba;’ ‘The National Monthly of Canada’ September 1902, which includes the article ‘Indian Children at Home;’ and the Centeneray Number (March-April 1932) issue of ‘The Algoma Missionary News,’ which includes an article giving information about Rev. E.F. Wilson and his missionary work.
Fonds also includes an article from the November 19, 1971 edition of The Vancouver Sun, entitled "Leisure's Book Reviews," which discusses Indigenous publications in Canada. The testimonial that is included in the fonds, was given to Archibald Wilson upon his departure from Elkhorn. There are 28 subscribers to the testimonial and it is dated September 19, 1918.
Notes
The Wilsons are discussed in J.R. Miller's "Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens: A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada," Miller's "Shingwauk's vision :a history of native residential schools" and John S. Milloy's "A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System 1879-1986." Description by Christy Henry.
This man was a shirt wearer and a medicine man. The scalp locks upon his shirt testify to his prowess as a warrior; the arrangement of his hair serves as a symbol of his sacred office as a tribal leader and medicine man. (Harbaugh, P., 1982).
Forty-one Arikara scouts enlisted to participate in Custer's '76 Sioux Campaign. Many of these have been photographically identified. This man is a proven warrior as indicated by his pointed, quilled and scalp-lock decorated shirt. A shirt wearer occupied a position of honor and authority among his people, primarily responsible for the welfare of others as a result of his deeds as a warrior. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of the town of Baldur, MB. Visible is the L. Curtis Block. Canadian Northern rail cars are in the foreground with horse drawn carts and men working on road and town buildings behind.
As the Cheyenne and Sioux retreated south toward the 'White Rain (Bighorn) Mountains' following the Battle of Little Bighorn, many of the wounded warriors died. They were laid to rest in their finest clothing admits their cherished belongings atop burial scaffolds or within the branches of strong trees. It was here sorrowful families bid the fallen warriors spirit good-bye as it began its journey across the great divide. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
He is presented to have been the Osage scout who accompanied Custer during his campaign against the Southern Cheyenne, in which the 7th Cavalry captured Black Kettle's village located near the Washita River in Kansas. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Chief Joseph 'Hanmaton Talatkit' (ca. 1832-1904). By the close of 1876 the Sioux had been pacified enough that Manifest Destiny could focus her attention and Gatling guns on the Nez Perce of Oregon and Washington where gold had been discovered. Although he had always advocated coexistence with the white man, Chief Joseph was forced from his native home into a three-month, 1300 mile flight through what are today four states and twice across the Rocky Mountains, defeating the U.S. Army in seven major battles. He came within forty miles of sanctuary, the Canadian border, where he envisioned joining Sitting Bull and his exiled people, when his sick and starving band was overtaken by General Miles and one-armed General O.O. Howard. Joseph surrendered October 5, 1877. General Miles agreed to return the Nez Perce to the west; instead, they were sent to Indian Territory. Joseph was so successful a military leader and so influential a tribal leader that he was never allowed to return to his homeland and people. It was said that upon Joseph's exiled death in September of 1904, the agency doctor identified the cause of death as 'broken heart'. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)