Steele Collection MS 2008.1.1.3.2.110
Title
Steele Collection MS 2008.1.1.3.2.110
Description
CPR Strike Scene, Manuscript C, page 362 (circa 1911-1915)
Source
Bruce Peel Special Collections
Text
Transcription of Manuscript C
I rushed out calling upon Mr. Johnston to get the Riot Act and come with me. I seized his Winchesters Rifle from the constable on guard at the gaol, and ran to the bridge, and as the crowd was on the point of making a rush on to it, I covered them with rifle and called upon them to halt or I would fire. They answered with curses, and cries of “Look at the --- --- ---, his own death bed makes no difference to him!” but they halted. In the meantime the prisoner was struggling fiercely with the men who had him, but half way across Walters raising his huge fist struck him on the temple and with Craig trailed him by the collar, as insensible as a rag, and as the woman passed screaming “You red coated --- --- ---!” I said “Take her in, too!” and went forward over the bridge to the crowd.
Johnston by this time had joined me with the Riot Act which he had to get by kicking the orderly room door open, the key being with Constable Fane who was busy in the riot, and we stood together before the rioters. Johnston opened the book, and I said “Listen to this, and keep your hands off your ‘guns’ or I will shoot the first man of you who makes a hostile movement”. Johnston then read the Riot Act and when he had finished I said “You have taken advantage of the fact that a rebellion has broken out in the North West and that I have only a handful of men, but as desperate diseases require desperate remedies and both and disease and remedy are here, I warn you that if I find more than twelve of you standing together or any large crowd assembled I will open fire upon you, and mow you down! Now disperse at once and behave yourselves!” By this time a considerable number of engineers, responsible merchants and contractors all well armed had assembled at the barracks to back me up. The eight Mounted Police stood at the head of the bridge under Fury with magazines charged, ready to act when needed. Johnston and I remained where we were until the rioters had dispersed then sent the man whom Fury had wounded to the hospital for treatment from the C.P.R. doctors. Mr. Ross was very kind to him.
I rushed out calling upon Mr. Johnston to get the Riot Act and come with me. I seized his Winchesters Rifle from the constable on guard at the gaol, and ran to the bridge, and as the crowd was on the point of making a rush on to it, I covered them with rifle and called upon them to halt or I would fire. They answered with curses, and cries of “Look at the --- --- ---, his own death bed makes no difference to him!” but they halted. In the meantime the prisoner was struggling fiercely with the men who had him, but half way across Walters raising his huge fist struck him on the temple and with Craig trailed him by the collar, as insensible as a rag, and as the woman passed screaming “You red coated --- --- ---!” I said “Take her in, too!” and went forward over the bridge to the crowd.
Johnston by this time had joined me with the Riot Act which he had to get by kicking the orderly room door open, the key being with Constable Fane who was busy in the riot, and we stood together before the rioters. Johnston opened the book, and I said “Listen to this, and keep your hands off your ‘guns’ or I will shoot the first man of you who makes a hostile movement”. Johnston then read the Riot Act and when he had finished I said “You have taken advantage of the fact that a rebellion has broken out in the North West and that I have only a handful of men, but as desperate diseases require desperate remedies and both and disease and remedy are here, I warn you that if I find more than twelve of you standing together or any large crowd assembled I will open fire upon you, and mow you down! Now disperse at once and behave yourselves!” By this time a considerable number of engineers, responsible merchants and contractors all well armed had assembled at the barracks to back me up. The eight Mounted Police stood at the head of the bridge under Fury with magazines charged, ready to act when needed. Johnston and I remained where we were until the rioters had dispersed then sent the man whom Fury had wounded to the hospital for treatment from the C.P.R. doctors. Mr. Ross was very kind to him.
Original Format
Typed manuscript
Files
Citation
“Steele Collection MS 2008.1.1.3.2.110,” Bruce Peel Special Collections Library Online Exhibits, accessed November 25, 2024, https://omeka.library.ualberta.ca/items/show/2431.