Friday, April 1, 2011

Special Constable Tom Three Persons

C A N A D A



A short story
about
Special Constable Tom Three Persons
by
Vet. Don Klancher, 'E' Division
Special Constable Tom Three Persons was born in March 1888 at Standoff, North West Territories {after 1905 this part of the NWT became the Province of Alberta}.

Undoubtedly, Alberta’s most famous cowboy, Tom Three Persons was baptized as Moses Three Persons, but he was known to all as 'Tom'. He was said to be the son of "... Double Talker, a Blood woman, and Fred Pace, a white trader and bootlegger ..." [At one time,] Pace was an original member of the NWMP, he served from 1873-74; Regimental Number (old series) 136.

Although he [Tom] had been competing in bronc-riding competitions for a few years, he entered the first Calgary (Alberta) Stampede in 1912, as a virtually-unknown competitor and left as the world’s bucking horse champion, having defeated a number of experienced competitors.

As the only Canadian who won a championship in a major event at that first Calgary Stampede, he became an instant celebrity. During his prime, he attended many rodeos and won many more events; in later years he took up calf roping.
In the book Tom Three Persons : Legend of an Indian Cowboy by Hugh A. Dempsey; the author wrote that "... In spite of the rumours, stories and gossip about Three Persons antics, he had never been arrested, not even for being intoxicated. Accordingly, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police needed two new scouts, they offered the positions to Three Persons and his friend Tom Many Feathers. It seems strange that a man who some people believed was in league with the Devil, who was said to be a wife beater, a thief, and an arsonist, should wear the five-pointed star of an RCMP Scout. Yet Three Persons was probably recommended to the position by the new Indian agent ... who was either unaware or unconcerned about Three Person’s reputation. To him, Three Persons was a reliable, hard-working man who spoke good English and was a hero among many of his people. To the Mounted Police, he was an Indian with a clean record who was willing to carry out his assigned duties ..."

On December 2, 1921, he [Tom Three Persons] was engaged as a RCMP Special Constable; "as Scout to Stand Off Detachment." At the time, Stand Off Detachment was part of "M" Division, Headquartered at Macleod, Alberta. He served [in the Force] until March 31, 1922.

Tom Three Persons was inducted into:
Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame; Calgary, Alberta - July 11, 1983

Indian Rodeo Hall of Fame - 2002

Hall of Fame at National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum; Forth Worth, Texas - 2007

Sports Hall of Fame; Lethbridge, Alberta - May 1, 2010

Tom Three Persons died on March 13, 1949. He was buried at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Cardston, AB.

Photo of Tom Three Persons with permission:



Photo Courtesy of Glenbow Museum
Archives / NA-778-7
With many thanks to Vet. Don Klancher

For additional details read Tom Three Persons : Legend of an Indian Cowboy by Hugh A. Dempsey.

'Maintain Our Memories'
J. J. Healy,
Reg.#23685


2 comments:

  1. The person isn't that much familiar to me but I guess I once read an article regarding him or a book. He was really something unbeatable on his time around, he was one of a kind man!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I never knew there was so much info on my Great Grandfather (I've found so much info on this spectacular person). He definatly was a one of a kind, especially being a Treaty Native (First Nation) he did what Natives where not allowed to do back in that time. He overcame barriers only to have people talk bad about the ways he used his talent to get ahead in life. I love that I get to have this mans name THREE PERSONS and now my little baby boy is this eras "Tom Three Persons" my baby boy is going to do great things like his great great grandfather!!!

    ReplyDelete

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your note. Please be assured that I will reply, but some e-mails require a little more research and time or reflection. If your comment hinges on policy for graves, the e-mail may have to be referred to the RCMP for an authoritative response.

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Yours truly,

BuffaloJoe
Reg.#23685