David Laurence Jones commends Sandra Rollings-Magnusson's diligent research unearthing “delightful and often humorous accounts of pioneer settlers in the Canadian West.” Folklife and Superstition, coming September 3, in stores and online.https://www.heritagehouse.ca/book/folklife-and-superstition/ #PrairieHistory

In Ranching under the Arch, read the tales of several Alberta ranches that have roots dating back to the 1880s and have endured to today as vibrant enterprises, sometimes into five generations of the same family. https://www.heritagehouse.ca/book/ranching-under-the-arch/ #Homesteading #PrairieHistory #CanadianHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1841:
"We had now trotted on to about 9 o'clock am where we began to think of breakfasting at a small river now at no great distance, when we suddenly perceived a band of Horses and Cattle, and upon nearer approach discovered people and a great number of carts and other paraphernalia, evidently the accompaniment of a party about to start on a very long journey -- who we immediately supposed to be some of the Red River settlers... #PrairieHistory #History #Books

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1841:
"We had no sooner landed on the opposite bank to arrange everything for a fresh start when one of us happening to look up discovered upon a rising ground, descending towards us, a band of eight Indians, tall, fierce looking fellows who we soon perceived to be armed from the glancing of the guns in the sun as they descended the hill. As our guns were all scattered about, we immediately each secured his own & remained waiting... #CanadaHistory #PrairieHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1841:
"Mr. Rowand hoped that we might overtake him before he reached Red River, where the Columbia Despatches, of which I was the bearer, at all times looked for with anxiety, were doubly so this year as Governor Simpson was about to visit that quarter of the Hon Company's territories. We certainly stood in great need of fresh horses, for those we had been travelling with were wretched in the extreme; in fact, could we have only mounted... #History #PrairieHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1841:
"I did not however at the moment feel in a humour to be awestruck with our friend Peter's dignified demeanor (being vexed at the state of the horses) and therefore desired him sans ceremoni to provide us the means without loss of time to prosecute our journey. I herer found a note addressed to me by Chief Trader Rowand, who had passed only four days before, informing me that he had left two fresh horses for our use and hoping #History #PrairieHistory #Books

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1841:
"Having arrived upon the summit of a hill, the poor Indian guide, worn out with vexation and fatigue, asked my permission to smoke a pipe and recollect himself; which being granted, and the pipe finished, he again led the way, but in a totally different direction to that which he, for the last few hours, pursued. We of course followed, though doubting whether he was right or wrong. Towards evening we encamped.... #PrairieHistory #SKHistory #AmWritingHistory