Media Exhibits
It was to be a year unlike any other in Medicine Hat. Rumors of war were spreading like wild fire across the country. Hurried letters were written to relatives and loved ones down east addressing their frantic concerns. Clearly they didn’t know what it was like here in Medicine Hat. Life was hard but it was peaceful. To some like Bill Cousins, it was laughed off as media exploitation and exaggeration of events of the kind we still see going on today. After all it was March in Medicine Hat, spring was near and everyone was looking forward to loosening the shackles of winter. But the rumors of war continued to spread and grew until even the citizens themselves were caught up in the frenzy. Something had to be done, so a town meeting was called to address the problem, head on.
Little did they realize that within a few short weeks Medicine Hat would be transformed into a war front staging area and worse yet, possible battlefield. It was 1885 and the Riel Rebellion was about to explode and Medicine Hat was to become a strategic point in the rapidly unfolding uprising. Within the next three months thousands of troops and associated military transport would be passing through to Calgary and beyond in aid of the impending conflict. Most notable of all would be the fact that very shortly no less than five military units would be operating in the town, doubling its size.
Things did not go well at this first meeting. Adding to the tension were recent rumors of coming attacks first by the Blackfoot to the north and then by a nearby band of Cree. It was first proposed that the women and children should be put in the immigration shed by the CPR station for protection. Captain MacDonald of the mounted police declared, in a moment of bravado, that his command could easily stand off an attack by the Blackfoot warriors under Chief Crowfoot. This seemed to quell the tension briefly until it was suggested that the best protection that could be afforded the women and children would be to place them on the rotating CPR bridge, thus isolating them completely. To this Captain MacDonald (later nick named Paper Collar Johnny) protested vigorously because it would cut off his line of retreat and leave his men vulnerable on the north side of the river. He had at one instance bragged about wiping the earth with the whole Blackfoot nation and in the next breath expressed his concern about executing a retreat. Rancher Joe Wylie then became disgusted and accused the police officer of being both an insult and a disgrace to his uniform. The stress was finally relieved when all agreed to the immediate formation of a local militia with Tom Tweed as captain and Bob McCutcheon drill sergeant. The Medicine Hat Home Guard Militia was now born, becoming the second para-military organization next to the North West Mounted Police.
Every man in the community who could walk was unceremoniously
drafted. Cases of Snyder-Enfield rifles were soon received from
Ottawa and dispersed amongst the recruits as the newly formed
militia began to take shape. Drills were conducted every night,
while the town began preparations for an attack. Night guards were
set up in strategic positions throughout the town including the
railway bridge, the downtown, brick yard and Seven Persons Creek
coulee. The peace and tranquility that the small prairie town had
only recently known was now gone. It had been replaced with fear
and uncertainty. But this was just the beginning of the military
build up that was about to unfold in Medicine Hat.
Like other communities in the west, Medicine Hat had been briefly settled by Metis prior to the coming of the railway and their petition to Ottawa for settler status had been completely disregarded. This was not uncommon. All across the west serious issues were being ignored by Ottawa, the most important of which were land claims by the Metis, as well as First Nations People, ranchers, settlers and businessmen. All were waiting for government action.
However, on March 18, 1885, when Louis Riel formed his provisional government at Batoche, a wave of anger and dismay swept across the region. Western unity against Ottawa evaporated instantly as those with complaints distanced themselves from Riel’s rogue actions. By seeking nation status outside of Canada, Riel had crossed the line. This was one step too far and in an instant, neighbors and friends became potential enemies. In the east, Ottawa reacted by setting in motion a military machine to put a stop to the insurrection.
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