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

C A N A D A

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

Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz, NWMP

C A N A D A

In Memory of

Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz, NWMP

This interesting update about Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz, NWMP has been received from S/Cst Jim E. Jackson, Prince Albert RCMP Provost.

'Hello Joe,

I was just talking with one of my guard friends, George Robins, this week and the name of Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz came up.

Mr. George Robins actually owns the home quarter that Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz once settled on. Years ago, Mr. Robin's father purchased this land from a Mr. Frank Kasko who originally bought it from Reg.#3005, Josef Sinkiewicz. The homestead is also on the same quarter section that the Old Catholic Cemetery is located on east of Prince Albert, SK. 

Your database information shows Reg.#3005 as deceased at age 40 in 1928. Mr. Robins thinks that Reg.#3005 lived to be an old man when he passed away. Anyway, Mr. Robin is going to talk to his aunt who is from the same area. She will check her old history books.

Mr. Robins also believes that when he was a young boy in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, he remembers Reg.#3005 as an old man living down the road from the Robin's family.

Finally, I will go out in the spring and take some pictures and get the GPS coordinates of Reg.#3005 grave. I'll also be more than happy to follow up with more information as well.'

Yours truly,

S/Cst Jim E. Jackson,
Prince Albert RCMP Provost

********************************

***Additional information about the 'Sinkiewicz' family also came in recently from Supt. Brian Brennan, 'H' Div.

Supt. Brennan says: ' I read the blog entry on Sinkiewicz with interest given I was stationed in the Prince Albert Sub-Division at the start of my service and have visited a number of the old cemetaries in that area.

I quickly read Cst. Sinkiewicz's service file on line and learned a few interesting things. The information on the data base is correct in regards to the dates of his engagement and discharge. 

One interesting point is that he joined at the age of 35 which means he was born in 1859. If the date on his death is correct at 1928 it would mean that he was 69 years old when he died. While this is not "old" it might still be in line with S/Cst. Jackson's info. It will be interesting to see what information is on the grave marker.

There is a letter on his Service File from his daughter to the Force dated 1958 looking for possible information on her date of birth as she is interested in applying for Old Age Security. The Force records were of no assistance to her.' 

Brian Brennan, Supt

Halifax, NS

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**and a further note from Jim Jackson of PA...

Jim says; 'I have discovered that there was a Josef F Sinkiewicz (RNWMP) and a Joseph M Sinkiewicz 1888-1928. They lived about a 1/2 mile apart. Joseph M Sinkiewicz died of typhoid fever at age 39 in 1928. The history book that I read states that Josef F. Sinkiewicz  served 8 years in the RNWMP; 5 years on Mounted Patrol, one year as a Special Constable and two years in the secret service in WWI. 

He lived into his late 80’s or early 90’s (still trying to verify the exact date).  But, I did see a picture of he and his wife celebrating their Diamond Anniversary in the history book.

My friend, George Robins has a brass RNWMP pin that he found years ago sticking out of the mud in a cow track over by the old Sinkiewicz homestead.'

 

Take care,

Jim Jackson  

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy,
Reg. #23685

Reg.#1470, Constable James Marshall, NWMP

'Friends Not Forgotten'

Reg.#1470, Constable James Marshall, NWMP

This photo of NWMP Constable Marshall was sent in by retired Reg.#21009, Don Marshall.

According to files from recently deceased Jack White, Cst. James Marshall joined the Force in Saint John, NB in 1885. He saw action during the Riel Rebellion, then purchased his discharge in 1896. After the NWMP, James Marshall turned to farming.

He left his name to the Marshall Ranch situated on Highway # 18 a few miles east of Big Beaver, SK. This was also the site of 'The Big Muddy Detachment' and the cairn dedicated to the Last Mounted Police Horse Patrol named also for James Marshall, NWMP. 

He is the uncle of Reg.#10725, William Henry Marshall (died 1966) and a grand uncle of Reg.#19043, Douglas Frederick Willliam Marshall (died 2006) and Reg.#21009, retired Donald Ralph Marshall

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy,

Reg.#23685

Reg.#9129, Cst. Bruce Vivian Moore, NWMP

From an Infant Force - the NWMP

This note and the accompanying photo of Cst. Bruce Vivian Moore was received from his niece, Ethel May (Moore) Guertin. Here, Ethel Guertin of Gatineau, QC provides a wee yet personal insight into the life and times of her NWMP uncle, Cst. Moore

Bruce Vivian Moore was born in South Hull, QC on June 18, 1892. He joined the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) on February 16, 1909 at the age of 16 years and 4 months. Cst. Moore remained with the NWMP when it became the RCMP on February 1, 1920.

Cst. Moore  was the youngest of a family of  ten boys and seven girls. The Moore family was born on their farm on Pink Road here in Gatineau, QC. -- that part of the City was then called South Hull.

Bruce Moore was our favourite Uncle and he and Aunt Edna spent a lot of time with us. They were a regular part of our Christmas Day dinners. They always arrived with gifts for all of us. Bruces' wife, our Aunt Edna was not allowed to wrap the presents at Christmas time as that was specifically Uncle Bruce's job.  He insisted on wrapping the presents and he wrapped every one of them beautifully.

Cst Moore retired from the RCMP on February 8, 1938. He died in Ottawa, Ontario on November 22, 1962. Cst. Moore is buried in Bellevue Cemetery which is located on the Aylmer Road in Gatineau, Quebec. 

I have not been able to find a photo of Uncle Bruce in the RCMP uniform but I have a few more leads to follow up.

There is no RCMP crest on his tombstone yet - it sure would be great if there was one present...

 

Thank You.

 

Yours truly,

 

Ethel May (Moore) Guertin

Email: ethel.guertin@videotron.ca

'Maintain Our Memories'

Buffalo Joe

Reg.#OS 193, Sub Constable William H. V. Woods, NWMP

NWMP Connections
 
Sub Constable H. V. Woods was born in Kingston, ON. He joined the NWMP on March 28, 1874.
 
He died in 1905 and he is buried in Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, ON.

Mr. Woods' granddaughter, Susan Joiner sent in the photo of a receipt seen here.

Granddaugher Joiner says: 'Here is a scan of the original receipt for the plot for W.H.V. Woods. I treasure it and am thinking seriously of presenting it to the office to see if they will honour it and find space for more of the Woods familyl!!'  What are the odds?


Best wishes.

Sue Joiner,
Granddaughter of OS 193, Sub Constable H. V. Woods

*   PS 1: One can clearly read that the plot for Sub Constable Woods cost $20.00 in 1895.

** PS 2: Reg.# OS 193, Sub-Constable Woods and Reg.# OS 165, Sub-Constable T. Cherry must have been acquaintences as they both were from Kingston, ON and they both joined the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) on the same day: to wit, March 28, 1874. Is it pure coincidence or is it pure Canadian history?

Buffalo Joe

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.# 324, Staff Sergeant Arthur Dorion, NWMP

From an Infant Force: the NWMP

This unique and cherished old photo of NWMP, Staff Sergeant A. Dorion was received from the collection of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Vet. Ron Smith.

S/Sgt. Dorion joined the Force on June 9, 1879. He retired on August 31, 1922 after a long career that spanned forty two years.

He died on June 12, 1932 and he is buried in the South Hill Cemetery, Prince Albert, SK.

S/Sgt. Dorion was involved in some major squirmishes during the early NWMP. He was at the start of the Riel Rebellion at Battleford and he was also involved in the Battle of Cut Knife.

To be absolutely clear, S/Sgt. Dorion is the person on the right.

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#887, Sligo Warren Kerr, NWMP

Research Notes about Reg.#887, Sligo Warren Kerr from 'F' Div. Vet. Ron Smith

(1) Cst. Kerr was always well dress and clean and everyone address him as 'Sir'.

(2) He never showed any interest in sharing his life with anyone male or female.

(3) He liked cats and allowed them to share his table.

(4) Cst. Kerr was friends with two neighbour families and one were two young boys who listened to his tales of the early days, Vince, now dead, was the one who started my research and supplied a lot of info.

(5) In a very serious event by Battleford a year prior to the rebellion was when about 60 NWMP tried to arrest a native for assaulting the Indian agent several hundred braves from three nearby reserves where having a sun dance at the time and refused to give up the fugitive. They were armed and fired guns in the air etc. It appeared like the start of rebellion then but Cst. Kerr went into the crowd, and dragged the wanted person out by his bandana. The story is in several history books but is in The Quarterly referred to in the article (Almost forgotten.)

(6) For whatever reason, Cst. Kerr left Ireland and no one will ever know the reason, Was it religion, sex, family fighting, or whatever? Kerr never would and never did contact family again regardless of coaxing by his associates. A lawyer contacted a surviving brother in Ireland after Kerr died, but the brother refused an item of Kerr's estate.

Yours truly,

Vet. Ron Smith


'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.# 1890, Cst. Jean Charles Routhier, NWMP

Dear Joe;

Officer Routhier is the son of Basil Routhier, the composer of  'O Canada' and the father of Henri Routhier O.M.I., the late Archbishop of the Grouard-McLennan Archdiocese.

According to his Cst. Routhier's son, he dropped out of law school or gave up law to join the NWMP at the time of the Riel Rebellion (il a lâché le droit pour joindre la police montée pendant la rébellion de Riel).

This was an action, even almost a century later, that was still strongly condemned as foolhardy by an 80 something year old son and retired bishop!

Raymond Pallard
raymondpallard@yahoo.ca

'Maintain Our Memories'

Obituary: Reg.#768, Constable J. A. Simons, NWMP

Obituary: Reg.#768, James Arthur Simons

The Calgary Herald. January 15, 1893

Mr. J.A. Simons an ex-member of the NWMP died at his residence, Atlantic Ave. yesterday morning of typhoid fever. Mr. Simons illness was not of long duration.

The deceased came to this country from England in 1882 and joined the NWMP Force. At the expiration of his term of service he went home to the old country on a visit. returning to Calgary he again took on with the force, but purchased his discharge some time after.

A widow and a small boy survive. At the time of his death Mr. Simons owned considerable property in Calgary.


Dalcy Gripich

Email: gripich@telus.net
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#1683, Cst. Charles J. Lennox, NWMP

Reg.#1683, Cst. Charles J. Lennox, NWMP

Good Evening Joe!

Attached please find digital photos of the above for inclusion in the rcmpgraves database. I personally visited both grave sites today. Access to the Lennox site is through private property and a Crown lease. The landowner and Lessee, Mr. Roy Scammell was most co-operative and can definitely be deemed a "Friend of the Force." What follows is my report on both grave sites:

Historically, the Sounding Lake route was used by the NWMP for travel between Fort MacLeod and Battleford. The actual site of the grave and memorial marker for Cst. Lennox is located at the East End of Deadman's Lake (The Lake has been known locally as "Deadman's Lake since at least 1955) on Crown Land leased by Roy Scammell at NW3-38-4-W4th which is precisely 5 miles South and 1.5 miles West of Cadogan, Alberta and 3.5 miles precisely North of the most northerly point of Sounding Lake. Mr. Scammell has lived at the area since 1955 and has leased the land where Cst. Lennox is buried from the Crown for decades.

He and his wife Edith and sons Neil and Dean were most co-operative and are willing to guide anyone that asks to this burial site. The surrounding land is used to pasture their cattle consequently they have erected a cattle guard around the marker to prevent damage to it from livestock. Prior to the marker being erected by the Spencer Historical Site Society in 1981, a long-necked beer bottle turned upside down and pushed into the grave site marked the location. Mr. Scammell informed me that several years ago he found remnants of what he believed was a wooden cross marking the grave site. Squared off pieces of lumber were found nearby which is consistent with the existence of the cabin referred to in an excerpt from a local history book.

There is a reference to Cst. Lennox in an Alberta History Book titled "A Treasury of Memories" which covers Special Areas #4 which includes Monitor and Sounding Lake. The specific excerpt is entitled, "A Cabin And A Grave:"
.... In 1891 NWMP records stated that regular patrols went out as far as Sounding Lake... There is little reason to doubt that other travellers used this preferred route across the plains as well. Wandering Indians, trappers and others probably passed through. One person at least must have chosen this area as a place to live, for in 1896, an Indian hunting at Sounding Lake discovered a cabin about seven miles north-west of the Lake. Nearby was a grave. An investigation by Sergeant Mills revealed a carefully prepared grave on a ridge about 75 feet from the cabin. The headboard indicated that Charles Lennox, an ex-member of the N.W.M.P. was buried there. A note in the cabin said that a man, Adsik, had arrived at the Lake in October and left for Medicine Hat on April 10. Lennox had died March 1.

Death Date: From the above account it is apparent that the date of death for Lennox was March 1, 1896 not March 1, 1897 as is currently listed in the database;

Place of Death: Deadman's Lake

City: Cadogan

Prov: AB

Country: CA

Grave Location: Legal Land Description NW3-38-4-W4th, East End of Deadman's Lake

Condition of Plot: Poor. Overgrown. Bronze plaque needs cleaning;

Inspection Date: November 4, 2009

Comments: Grave site located on leased crown land. Contact Roy Scammell (780) 753-6423 for access

Picture Link: As attached

With thanks to: Roy & Edith Scammell and sons Neil and Dean Scammell

Reg. No. 5953, Cst. William Bennett Holtsbaum, RNWMP

Death of Date: Pending from son in Calgary, William Brian Holtsbaum (403) 242-9345

Place of Death: Pending from son;

Cemetery Name: Provost Cemetery

City: Provost

Prov: AB

Country: CA

Grave Location: Plot 326

Condition of Plot: Good

Inspection Date: November 4, 2009

Picture Link: As attached

A publication is located in the Alberta Legislature Library entitled, "Our Bill: William Bennett Holtsbaum: the biography of a unique and honorable man, 1893-1958;" authored by Lois Reid-Holtsbaum and William Brian Holtsbaum

Once I acquie futher information from Cst. Holtsbaum's son, I will pass it along.

With Kindest Regards --- Dave
Insp. David A. Guy (Ret'd)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
David A. Guy
Guy & Associates Ltd.
P.O. Box 360
Edgerton, Alberta T0B 1K0
Bus: (780) 755-2502
Fax: (780) 755-2503
Cell: (780) 806-3416
E-Mail: daguy@wy-com.ca


'Maintain Out Memories