Reg. 869 (Officer 0.145) Insp. M. H.E. Hayne, NWMP

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Stories about

Reg. 869 (Officer 0.145)

Insp. Murray H.E. Hayne, NWMP 

Hi Joe:

I check your Bog daily and I always have a particular interest in stories of the NWMP.

In the past, you have included stories on Reg. #869 (Officer 0.145) Insp. Murray H.E. Hayne, NWMP who, as a S/Sgt.,  went to the Yukon in 1895, as part of the first twenty members Contingent sent to the Yukon to open the first northerly post (Fort Constantine), at Fort Cudahy. The Fort was actually situated so they could overlook the town of Forty Mile.

You also reported that after S/Sgt. Hayne completed his two years of service in the Yukon, he wrote a book entitled: "The Pioneers of the Klondyke: Being an Account of Two Years Police Service on the Yukon".  Originally, that book was printed in England in 1897.

A couple of years ago, I was researching Reg.# 323, Everett John Ward, NWMP, for your database because Cst. Ward (from Kentville, NS) was among those first twenty members that went to the Yukon. I searched for S/Sgt. Hayne's book as I hoped that he might have made reference to the names of the other members who served at that first Northerly Post.

Eventually, my search for the Hayne book was successful. New copies are available from Amazon, in Ontario. I purchased a copy about 1 year ago, for about $23.30. As the original was published in 1897, the book is now in the public domain. An American publisher, with the belief that "...old books deserve a new life", recently published these copies --- improved, a new cover is on the book and the size of the font has been increased.

I highly recommend this book for those that want first hand complete details of what those twenty members went through. For instance, when they departed from Seattle, it was more that a boat trip North -- members often went ashore to cut firewood for the ship's boilers. And, after reaching their destination, there is an account of them renting a sawmill to saw logs, then construct a rail bed to move the logs to the river, for rafting logs to the construction site. There are details of them renting abandoned miners cabins to live in while their Fort was under construction.

These NWMP members were racing against the coming cold weather and, in 6 weeks, they managed to construct eight seperate buildings and a stockade. All work was done by members with no outside help. One might ask: 'Where did they get windows and doors? Well, these items were shipped on the same boat that carried the members north.

Then there was the problem of winter firewood. They rafted logs from at least 50 miles distant as there was no suitable wood near the Fort. In winter, they were burning at least 2 cords of wood a day. S/Sgt. Hayne details their problems; dwindling supplies, limited food for their dogs and the need to release a prisoner they could not feed. They had to cover their beds with tarps as rain water leaked through the sod roof of their buildings.

S/Sgt. Hayne was also a qualified photographer and photos in the book are his prints -- the quality is not good but one has to realize there were photo developing problems caused by the extreme elements of the North.

Prior to completeing his 2 years service in the North, Hayne requested a short leave --- he went looking for gold and staked his own claim. When four other members completed their two years of service they too discovered gold and the group of five left the Yuon. The remaining fifteen members stayed in the Yukon and they also searched for gold.

For those that enjoy reading of the early stories of the NWMP, I recommend Hayne's book. It was written by S/Sgt. Hayne, a member who was on the scene. It doesn't get any better!

It is sad, indeed, that S/Sgt. Hayne died at age forth-five years. By this time, he had completed service in the Boer War and again returned to the Force for Northerly service. He died not knowing that he had been promoted to the rank of Inspector.

He was serving in Cape Fullerton at the time and communication was slow in the North, I believe news of his commission arrived about 106 days after his death.

As a comfort to those circumstances, it is impressive that a new headstone was erected, showing his proper rank of Inspector.

Regards,

Dick Pulsifer, Friend of the Force
Nva Scotia Vets

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy,

Reg.#23685