July 2nd, 2016 was not only July 1 Canada Day in Canada with the international date line differences but for Australian citizens it was also Federal election day including a full Senate election.
So I had a choice I could stay in Australia and vote for either the leader of one party an alleged rapist who has never worked a proper job in his life. Alternatively I could have voted for a financial shyster who has a proven record of financial mismanagement of other peoples money.
The other alternative was to help Canadians celebrate their National Day by joining them at their National Historical site to ranching the Bar U and that was the real winner on the day.
Businessman,cattle,Natives,Princes,wome n,children,Percheron's,polo ponies and cowboys all had a role to play in the establishment,running and growth of the Bar U ranch.One of the first and most enduring of the large corporate ranches established in Canada it was only fitting that it was chosen to be representative of the history of ranching in Canada.(www.pc.gc.ca) The fact that it is located close by the City of Calgary has seen the history of the ranch instrumental in the history of the Calgary Stampede and likewise complements the appeal of area as the natural home to country lifestyle, ranching and the Cowboy.
In 1882 the first herds of cattle began the migration North especially from Idaho USA and eight years later it was reported that the North West Cattle Company (NWCC) listed returns showed it had 10,410 cattle & 832 horses branded with the Bar U brand.The land was at that time only leased but the fescue native grasses especially when in the long winter not only survived but the warming Chinook winds cleared snow from the mountain sides allowing the cattle easy feeding on the high quality grass. Combining this with a reliable annual rainfall and extensive snow fed streams that fed the wooded areas providing shelter for stock and man mad the area very attractive to ranching activities that could also be supplemented with crop production.
our story did not start then to see what existed before the coming of the ranchers we must go back over 4000 years when the Plains were home to huge herds of buffalo that were the food and suppliers of many of the needs of the Plains Indians.As has happened in most parts of the world life styles changes as man makes progress into un chartered waters. As early as 1869 problems developed between two groups the Whiskey Traders and the Indians. The newly formed North West Mounted Police moved into the area with very little conflict and indeed many Indian tribes welcomed them as a barrier against Whiskey Traders. 1877 is a significant year in this area as Treaty No 7 was signed between the Canadian Government and these tribes. The Blackfoot,Blood,Peigan,Sarcee & Stoney all of which are part of the culture and community still in Southern Alberta.
Times changed quickly as technology demanded a huge increase in Buffalo hides numbers and railways provided a quick method of travel for hunters of these herds. So great was the demand that only years after the opening up of these lands the originally Plains Buffalo herd estimated at 60 million was reduced to mere hundreds or by some estimates 2000. A major destroyer being Buffalo Bill.
A new era had began in 1881 when the Government offered the Treaty 7 land to investors for one penny per acre. (for those that can remember a few years back that is less then a half penny per hectare) this was offered on leases up to close on 50000 hectares. One group who accepted this offer was Fredrick S Stimson of Quebec and the Allan Family of Montreal.
this was the beginning of Bar U and the NWCC who initially purchased 3000 Durham- Shorthorn cattle with 75 saddle horses along with 21 purebred shorthorn bulls.Initial sales included 1000 steers to the Canadian Pacific Railroad at incidentally a massive sale price of $75 per head. Other sales soon amounted to over $300000 to the Government for supplies to the NWMP and the Treaty 7 peoples. The Bar U also sold livestock to the British people in a live stock export scheme. A quick look at the employment register of the Bar U shows one Harry Longabaugh as an employee. Those who haven't twigged yet he was the Sundance Kid!
Australian readers may also wish to know that that famous( A.B Bango Patterson fame) Polo Club -The Geebung Polo Club- was adopted as a name for the Pekisko Polo Club at the Bar U.
The Bar U also had another famous arm outside of cattle production. At one time it was the largest Percheron Stud in the World.
An initial shipment from France composed of 72 mares and 3 stallions at then a not inconsiderable fee of $72000.These horses were descended from a cross of Arab horses and Ancient Roman horses.One of the Bar U most famous Stallions is Halifax.Not only did the Bar U sell these as work horses to the influx of farmers but also they kept their purebred horses for competition and exhibition at the Calgary Stampede. Staff such as Jonas Rider a proud Stoney Native won the calf roping in the 1924 Stampede.During its long history the Bar U has enjoyed a working peaceful relationship with the Native Indians. In fact without their help the ranch may not have survived during WW2.
With WW1 they also thousands to the Army for use in Europe.As well even as late as the 1950's businesses in Calgary such as the Co op dairy and the Fire Department were still using the Percheron's from the Bar U.
Perhaps you would like to be part of this history? Mrs George a traveling bar U farm cook in the 1940-50's era offers the following Campfire Bannock recipe. 2 cups of flour,2 tablespoons of baking powder,1 teaspoon of salt,1/3 cup of lard (butter ok) 1 cup water and an oil for the pan bottom to prevent sticking.
Method: Mix flour,baking powder,salt butter & water to form a soft dough. Melt some butter in a large flat frying pan. Spread mixture evenly into pan. Cook on one side until brown and crusted but not burnt.remove grease pan and place other uncooked side down leave until brown and crusted.Serve while warm with butter and a favourite treacle, golden syrup or jam.
As you will want to dash off to try this I will allow you by finishing now as the later history of the Bar U can be seen in the photo's.