CANADIAN
PACIFIC RAILWAY,
Exploratory Survey.
UKPOJiTS, HKi'OM.VlKNOATIONS, ANJ) ()UI)I<]1J EN (^OUXCiL. IX
RKPERKN(^K TO TllK
LOSS OF LIFE OF OFFICERS AND MEN,
IX COXXKCTIOX WITH THK SURVKY, IX TIIH VKAIi
1873.
OTTAWA:
Pm.NTKI) nv .M.M'IiK\N, K(M)KK (V Co., AV^Kl.UNCTON StUKKT.
1KT4.
CANADIAN
PACIFIC RAILVS^AY.
Exploratory Survey.
KKPOliTS. l{K('(.)MMKNI)ATIOXS. AND OUDKIt l.V (HJIJXdlL, IX
KKFKIfKNCK To TIIK
LOSS OF LIFE OF OFFICERS AND MEN.
IN (O.NNKi'TKJN WITH IMIK SIJUVKY, IN Tllh] YKAR
1873.
OTTAWA:
Pri.ntku hy .VlArLKAN, RoiiKK, & (■(»., Wkmjnoton Str«ht.
1ST4.
(CANADIAN PACIFKMIAILWAY,
Office of the Rnqineer in Chief,
Ottawa, Ffihruiini, 1S74.
The (rovi'i-iiiuout of ('iiiiiida liaviug passed an Oi-der in (Viiioil .i,'raiiti»i,' cortain
allowauces to the rcprcsentativos of tliose who |)ave lost tlioir livos in (•(tnnection
with tlio Oamidian Paoitio liaiiway, dni-in^f the past yeai-—
The uiulei'sigiied Inis hccn oharged by tlic ironorahle, tlic .MinisU'i- of Public
Works with the duty of paying over the money granted to those who were most
dependent o)i the deceased and who appear most entitled to receive it. lEe thei-ctbre
solicits from frien<ls and relatives of the deceased sucii information as will enable
him to carry out tiie generous intentions of the (rovej-nmeiit.
SANDFORI) FLK.MIJfO.
5
LOSS OF LIFE IN 1873.
Canadian I'acikic Raii.way.
Ottiiirii. 'Hith JiiniKiii/. 1ST4.
Sanufuki) Fi,kmino, Ks(|.,
KiiiriiH'cr ill ("liii'f.
J)kak ^m,
1 lio": 1<» suhinit tlu" t'ollowini'- l{t'i)i>i't ofscridiis iufidciits wliicli occiinTd
on lliis work (lui'iiii;' (lit' jiast siinum'i', to take llic iilncc oi" oik'. on (lie siinu' siiliji'i't,
wliieli was (U'strovfd liv the lato tii-*-.
The first acci'ilcnt occum'(l on the 24tli July last at Whiletish Lake, near Hie
starting- point of Division M, 1S7H. Hv it three paeknieii lost (lieir lives whose
names were
Joseph Hu<;hes, Devizes V. ()., Lomlon. Ontario.
Arthur Torrie, Millehiir^h •'
Neil Patterson, Xapanee
The jiartieulars of the aeeident are as follows: — Tiiree men. namely, Joseph
Hughes, Arthur Torrie. and Henry Thomas, were erossiny; Whitetish Lake in ji small
eanoe, and wlu'ii near tlie <lepo). which was established on the shore of that lake,
the eanoe, hy some aeeident, upset in 2;} feet of water, ahoiit KM) feet from the shore.
Neil Patterson who hajipeiied to he standinji;- there and saw the aeeident, swam
bravely out to their assistance, hut was .sei/.ed hold of by lluiiiies and they both
Hank to<retlier.
A. Torrie also went down about the same time. Imt Henry Thomas, said to be
tlie poorest swimmer of the three, sueeeeiled in reaehin^,- the land.
By this time, some of the men at the depot attraeteil l)y the cries, ran down to
the bcaeli, but were too late to render any assistance.
It was estimated by these men tliat the whole thing occurred within three
mimites.
Three days aftenvards the bodies were recovered and buried in one giave, near
the depot, a board being placed at its liead, having tlie names of the Jiien and the
date of their deatli written upon it.
What little personal effects the}' had were ffdwarded to the Ifeail Office, Ottawa,
and were destroyed in the late fire. They Avere, however, of little value and eon-
pisted of some wearing apparel.
At the date of their deaths the following amounts Avcre due to them for wages:
J. Hiighcs $40 T')
A. Torrie 44 TH
N. Patterson 20 1{»
Before concluding tlic reference to this iiecident, I would respectfully suggest
that, as Neil Patterson lost his life in the effort to save otliers, his ease deserves
ppeeial consideration.
6
Tli(> sonmd iicciilont (ic(mht«m| on tlic 21sl OctolKir, at Rod Eook. Avhilo tlio
jmi'tH's wciv wjiitiiiLC tlif iiiTival of a stoanu'i- to take tlioin lumu'.
Hv it a Koccman Packer, Wm. I'layti'r. of Toronto, was lamcil t'ov lift'.
lie was ( iilliiii; wood for the caini) Hi'«'s on tlu^ aliov** iianiod <lati' wlicu his iixc
^tiaiiccd from a lr«'»' and cut his fool, sovi'riiii; all thi' li'iidoiis. It was dressed l»y
sonn' of the ]>arty to whitdi he helontted, hut owini^ to there beinu "o Siirireon at
Jiaiid, it was iinin'rfeetly done. an<l when he arrived at ('olliiiuwood, it iiad so far
liealed as to render it iniiiossihie to i-enieilv tlie defect.
'Phis yoiinn' man is most hiifhiy spoken of. for the manner in which he discharged
his duties, hy .Mr. .McConnell. the Knicineer in charge of the party ; and I can myself
ln'ar lcstinn)ny to the fact that he seemed to l)e (lualitiod for a liiglier position than
he then occujiied.
I had oiiclosed with my former Report, a letter received from him since liis
return home, wliich fully hore out my opiidon of him.
If something could he d<nie in the way of procuring' for him a position as clerk
in an oftice, i helievo it woidd he more satisfactory to liim than a pecuniary consi-
di'ration.
lie was |iaid in full to the date of his dischar^X^', and I ilircctcd that he slnmld
he u,iven two montlis pay oxfra, amounting; to Sdti.OO, to support liim until al)lo to
movuidiout a;<;ain.
Tm addition to tlie aliovo monticmed loss of life hy accident, I regret e.Ktromely
havin.ij; to re|tort the loss of two of our " cdiief commissariat ofiicers in the tiehl; "
wliose deaths, if not caused, were at least aceelei'ated hy unavoidahle hardship and
exposure to which ihi-y w»'ri' I'Xposcd while t)ngai>ed cai'ryingoiit theii"ver\' arduous
duties.
The first of these was .Mr. .lohn I*, {{(dtson, formerly of St. John, X. R, who
received an appointment, in the alM>ve named capacity, when this work was com-
menced in 1S71. at wliicli tinn- he i-emoved his family to Kintcston, Ontario, where
the}' at |iresent reside.
Durini"- the past summer, .Mr. {{ohson was stationed at lied Hock, Ncjdgon Bay,
iiake Superior, i left him then' when I retiu-ned to Ottawa for a short time, on the
(Ith Septemher; and upon ifoing up there au;ain about the loth October. (I can not
>peak exactly as to ilates. my diary having; been destroyed in the tire) 1 found that
he had been taken on board the steamer ('luitlxrlinnJ, the day before niy arrival, in an
insensible state, and. I subserpiently learned, <lied on the passajijc down, the day after
leaviiif"' lied Ho(dv.
The complaint of which he died was, I l)elieve. neuraljijia in the head.
.Mr. Robson's duties din-ing the past summer, was to receive all supplies hrouiirht
to Red Rock by steamer, keepinii^ an exact account thereof; he then had to superintend
personally the forwardiny; of iliem. in su(di (juantities as were ref[uired by the
engineei- in change, to the principal depot of each party, in the interior of the
country. From which point, the enifineers commissariat oittcei" Haw to their being
forwardeil along the line of ex|)loration.
The mimlter of parties for which Mr. Robson liad to provide were four, and the
distance of theii- de|K)ts from Red Rcudv varieil from 10 miles to 100 miles.
lie had also to keep accoimt of (iovernment and lIu<lsons Hay Co.'s stores
supplied to the men, ami the paying ott' of men who were discharged during the
pi'ogress of the work.
These various dutic'*. some of which subjected him to considerable hardshi|)and
ex|>osure. he performed in a faithful and energetic manner.
in conse(|uem'e of .Mr. i{»bson's sudden death, considerable difficulty was
experienced in closing his accounts.
But with Mr. i*riees assistance, this was ert'ected in as correct a manner as j)os-
.sible under the circumstances.
So far as can lie recollected, Mi: Rolison's account sheweil a balance against
liiiu fif iiliiMii J^IIT.OO; (liis can lie iiccoiuiIimI for liy ihv fuels tliiit liis fiiiu-nil
expenses, jinKiiiiiliii^' lo SKMMM) liax'e lu'eii placeil to liis dcl.il. aii<l also a miim of
$45.(MI, lieiiifi a jia\ iiieiit on iiower of attorney to one of tlie men. wliieli was not
(ledueteil from the man \>y Mr. I'riee wlien >etllinji witli liiin siiliM'(|ucntly, owiny,' to
(lu- entry in Mr. IJohsons lio(»l< not lieinn' siitl!«''K'ntls- e.N|(lieil for a stranger to iin-
(lerstanil ; altlioii^'li. no doulit, it Avoiiid liave lieen elear to iiini iiad lie lixcd to sv\\\r
matters lum>elf.
I woidd llierefori- ves]ioelfidiy recommend, owin;^ to the ]ieeiiliar cireiimstaiiees
of the ease, that tlies*' two .>-nms. amount iny- lo 8145. <MI. le phieed to his credit,
leaviny tiie iialance in liis J'avor .S2S.(l(l.
Since his death, the s\im of .<?:i(H>.(l(t has licon a<lvaneed to his family, in antici-
pation of the Usual <iranl fein^' made to them hy (iovi-rnment.
The st'cond commissariat oilicer. Avho>c death 1 reyri't to have to I'eeord. was Mr.
Nathan. L. Trice, laic of (irand Kails. >,'cw Hiunswick. wlieie his family still reside.
]le, also, has heen cni]iloyed in the sami' capacity, since the commciicemeiit of this
Avork in ]ST1.
His duties Avere. to receive the supplies foi- Hivisioii ,M, at Prince vVrthur's
Landing!;. Thundei- Hay. Lake Sujierior. and supci'inteiid the torwardin^-of them to the
Main depot of tlic I)ivision, in the interior of the coiintry. a distance of over 1(10
miles; also tlieir distrihution to vai'ious oilier di'pots aloiin' the route to I v ex]iloreil.
Having performed tliis diiticiUl sei'vici' in a most satisfactory manner, he came to
J{ed Hoclv and. after the depai'lurc of *\Ir. i'ohson as already docrifed. took cliarye
of atlairs at that ])oin(; assistini,' in closini;- the accounts and jiayini;- off the men.
upon the com])ietion of tlie season's woi'k. Alter the(le|iarture of most of the parlies
from Eed I{ock, on their Avay Jioiiic. he arranged and took stock of all the (lovern-
inent stores, leavin;; tliem in f;;ood order for next season's operations.
Jle then niturned Avitli me to Ottawa, and while en,y;ay:ed in closini;' his own and
Mr. ]{ohson's accounts, was taken ill very suddenly ami dii'il in a few days of Ilemoi'-
rigio scurvy ; Avhicli the doctor who attended him stated was hrou^ht on hy hanlsliips
and exposuie Avhile out in tlie woods.
]Iis accounts Avere all closed in a most satisfactory manner, and the tinii> of liis
death there was a Iialance due to him on account of salai-y of S.'{27.(Hl, as neai- as can
be reniemlieied.
But of this halanco the sum of $200.00 lias heen sent to his Avife since his death,
and liis lioard hill in OlIaAva, $2.'{.00 has also heen paid.
Besides these, there is a hill for medical attendance during- his last
illness of $20.00 and funeral ex|ieiises SfiH.OO. Total 87H.OO cliarged against him.
Tliese two last items. I Avould resjicctfully lecommend, as I liaAe al>o done in
the case of Mr. Bolisoii, should he placed to liis credit. I cannot close this report
without ex])ressiiig my sinceie ,sym2)atliy Avitli the families of these Iavo officers in
their sad liereavement. I take tlie same o^qiortunity to .state that, from the day
they joined the service until the date of their respective deaths, they fulfilled the
very arduous duties enti'iisted to them in a most trustworthy and satisfactory nuinner.
Avhich duties Avere of such a peculiar character that it will lie difficult to fiiid others
to discharge them.
I remain T)ear Sir,
Yours tridy,
JAMKS n. IJOWAX.
CAXADIAX PACIFIC RAILWAY,
Office of tuk Knuinker in (.'hief,
Ottuna, Fihnuiry Ifh, 1874.
Tlu' lloii. A(,EX. Mackenzie,
kv.. \c., &('.,
Minister of J'uMic Woi-ks.
»SlK,
It is my iminfiil iliity to lu-iiiu' iiiukT yoiii- notice sonic particulars rcspcctins^
loss of life in conni'ction with tlic Canadian I'acitic Uaihvav Survey during; tlie year
1H7:1
The acconii)anyini>- Report of Mi-. Rowan will he found to ifive the facts, in
oacli case, as far as known.
1 may l>e permitted to ohservc tiiat the survey sustained similar losses during
the year IStl and 1.S72, for particidars see my Jleport of .January 2Sth, 1S7H, aii«l
the Uoveriinicnt passed an order on the ;}lst May of the same year, authoriziujf pay-
ment to the rc]ires«'ntatives of the deceased of an allowance equivalent to eighteen
months of their relative jiay in each case.
The names. ])osition and pay of the poor men lost are as follows: —
John r. Rohson, Commissariat Ofliccr $10(( per month.
Nathaniel L. Price, do lOO "
.1. Iluiihes, Axenum HO "
A.Torrie. do HO "
N. Patterson. Uo HO "
In all cases. I have ordei'ed the payment of the e-\]»enst>s connected with th«
<leath and hurial of the deceased.
The families t)f the poor men, depending on their salary for support, liavo heen
left in Kti-aitened circumstances, and I have, in some cases, taken upon myself to
make a small advance on account (»f any compensatory allowance the (xovernment
may he ]»leased to grant.
From time to time, there have heen accidents of various kinds, timt fortunately
have not i-csulted fatally, hut it is pi-ojier that I should allude to one of rather a
.serious nature, as the man injure<l is lamed for life. The particulars of this ease av*^
jdso given in the attached Report, the num's mune is William Playter, he appears ti>
be a respectable, well educated young num, and aii appointment to a position as
flerk in an otlice, would ])robably i>e a moiv satisfactory way of compensating hint
than a gi-ant of money.
I respectfnily suhmit these several cases for the generous consideration of
the (rovernment.
I am, &e..
Your ohedient servant,
SA.NDFOIM) FLKMlNd.
9
l)Kl'AR'niKNT OF FuHLrc "WoRKS.
Ottmni. Ffhniiinf •'(ith. 1874.
Siu.
I \)v<x to lu'ivin t'Hclosi' (id- your intorniatioii. cojiy of an oi'der in couiumI, dated
the IvJtli Of l-Vl)i-iiary 1874. .u'faiilin.ii' an allowance eiiiiivalent, to ei^'hteen months
nav to the ivjjresi-ntatives of the olliciTs and men wlio lost Ihi-ir lives in tlie Canailiau
I'a'rif.i' l?ail\vay Siii'vev. dai'lnt!,- tiie yeai' IS7:!,
1 am Sii'.
Ydiii' oliedieiit servant.
F. HHAL'.N. Strretary.
S. Fl,KMIN(l. Ks(|.,
Chief Kn.iiineei' ('.IM{..
Ottawa.
(Nil'V of a Hei)oi't 0I a Committee of th<- lloiioiifahle. the Trivy Cotnieil. apjii'oved
liv His K.xeellenev tlie(ioveni<)r (ieiieral in Conueii. on the KSth Feliruary.
1874.
'I'lie eonimiltei' have had in considei'ation the memoi-andiim dated the lltii
Fel'i'iiarv. 1S74. from the llonoiirahie tlu' .Minister of I'niilie Works, statini;' tliat
the followin.ii' oHieers and nu'n. who lost their lives whilst employed on tiie survey of
iheCanailian I'aeitie Iiaihvay. dnrinu' llu' year lS7:i.viz: —
.1. 1*. l?ohson. commissariat oilicer 810(1 |>er month.
Xath. L. Price. do UMl
.1. liuiilies. .\xeman lU) "
.\. 'rorrie. d .'id
.\. I'allerson. do ."St*
and statinsi' hriclly the circumstance- attendini;- the same and reeommendini;" tliat he
he authorized to ^rant to the re|irescntativcs of tiies<' oiticc'N and men, an allowance
eiiiiivalcnt to eiii'htcen month-^ of their pay. similar allowances iiavin<; heeii madehy
order of Your i-Acdh-ni'V. dated the lil-t May. I87.'{. for lilce losses of life on the said
survev. (hn'in^- the years IS7I and 1^72.
'I'he minister inrtlu'r represents that William I'layter. liireman paidvcr. salary
S;{,'! a montii. had his foot so scvei'cly injnred hy the axe. wliich iflanceil from the
tree, tliat he mu>l I'cmain lame for life, and i'<'connm'ndin,ii; that he he employed in
the civil service.
The conunidei- >idimil thi' forei!,diny,' recommendations for Your F.xeelleney's
a|ppi'o\al.
( 'crlitieil.
(Si.siiied.) W. \. III.MSWOHTH.
10
s
3
III
S = s.
C S g
8 12 a 1
^ 11
1 1 1
'A
M
•<
w
S.
o
Granted
by Order in
Council.
i S 8
8 8 8
€» 1 1
S 3 9
115 uS U5
Balance
to
Credit.
• s
: 12 S
i B
i = 8J
Balance
to
Debit.
o ~ :
«• S i
1
Advanced to
family on
account
1 8 S
n : i
- li
Balance due on
account of
services to time
of death.
1 8 8
S JS s
3 9 9
^ S g
Date of
1
1873.
October 22
December 30
i 1' '
g
a
1871.
June.
June.
1873.
June 6
1
Pay
per
month.
i 8 8
8 8 8
•» 8 8
8 § S
1
!
4
<
Commissariat
Ofllcer.
do
c
«
E
C
••
n
1 fc J
1 1
^'1
H
1-9
A. Torrle.
N. Patterson....
! iS
( 1
1
I
©
a:
05