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The
Break With Barr
AN
EPISODE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BARR COLONY
(From
Saskatchewan History, 1957)
The
Barr Colonists, who were responsible for settling the Lloydminster area,
emigrated from the British Isles in 1903.
The movement had been initiated by the Rev.
Isaac M. Barr, assisted by the Rev.
George Exton Lloyd, both clergymen of the Church of England.
The former made an exploratory trip to Western Canada in the fall of
1902, and secured from the Department of the Interior a land reservation
comprising the even-numbered sections, exclusive of Hudson's Bay Company land,
in sixty,-eight townships.
On his return to London, Barr started an extensive publicity programme
for a non-denominational and self-supporting emigration scheme.
His pamphleteering and other means of advertising were so successful that
he and Lloyd received far more applications for membership in the colony than
had been contemplated.
On paper, Barr planned practically every detail and move which would face
the emigrants from the time they left their homes until they reached the
settlement.
One detail led to another, and soon Barr was in receipt of money sent to
him for various purposes, including homestead entry fees, absentee entry fees,
shares in stores and transportation syndicates, hospitalization, insurance, and
the like.
Naturally, those who paid the money expected in return exactly what he
promised them.
He even sent three agents in advance
to prepare the way, but neglected to give them financial support.
Some two thousand persons, being the main body of the emigrants, sailed
from Liverpool on the S.S. Lake Manitoba on
March 31, 1903, reaching Saint John, New Brunswick, on April 12.
The emigrants travelled via Canadian Pacific Railway to Regina, and
Canadian Northern Railway from Regina to Saskatoon.
Detraining on April 17 at Saskatoon, the end of the steel, they were
faced with an overland trek of approximately two hundred miles to the
settlement.
On
arriving in Saskatoon, the colonists, who had found accommodation none too
comfortable on the over-crowded Lake Manitoba and on the trains provided, discovered that Barr's
plans for their reception had not been carried out.
The Department of the Interior had, however, provided a city of tents for
their occupancy, in which they lived while procuring the necessities for their
trek.
Prices became inflated, and many colonists became discouraged by this
situation and by the difficulties, which lay ahead.
Barr failed to cope with the confusion which existed, but the majority
persisted in their plans and set out for Battleford at the end of April.
The Department of the Interior provided tents, fuel and fodder at
stopping places all the way from Saskatoon to the settlement.
The trek to Battleford, which proved very trying to people entirely
unaccustomed to overland travel under primitive conditions, took a week on the
average.
Discontent with Barr's lack of leadership mounted, until in Battleford it
became so acute that Barr was forced to resign.
The purpose of this article is to describe the details of the break
between Barr and the settlers.
At Battleford, where the colonists rested for several days, the
government had provided accommodation in tents and the immigration hall.
As it was uncertain what could be procured at the settlement, provisions
to last several weeks were purchased.
The colonists were more impressed with Battleford than they had been with
Saskatoon, possibly because they found the barracks of the NorthWest Mounted
Police there.
Newspapers in Eastern and Western Canada had taken considerable interest
in the migration, and sent their representatives to Battleford.
Their reports, in general, praised the pluck of the immigrants but
criticised Barr's leadership.
Barr arrived in Battleford on May 2, and after several stormy days with
the disillusioned settlers, left for the settlement on May 7. The Battleford
weekly, The Saskatchewan Herald, commented
on Barr's arrival in the following tone: "Mr.
Barr has come.
The colonists are dissatisfied with his arrangements.
There is every chance now of a hot spell.
There is no more connection between these interesting items than the
fancy of the reader may invest them with." The settlers were made uneasy by
rumors that some of their people had given up after reaching Saskatoon and were
returning home.
C. W. Speers, the general colonization agent of the Dominion government,
had held a meeting on April 23 in Saskatoon, which resulted in his finding
employment for those without sufficient means to proceed to the colony.
Confusion had arisen in the minds of the immigrants as to the allotment
of homesteads.
Some members of the advance groups who had been in Battleford for two
weeks were bitter against Barr over the delay in homesteading.
The first ugly rumors that Barr was exploiting them arose among the
settlers while in Saskatoon.
There an indignation meeting had been held on April 30, at which Barr had
aroused much antagonism.
At a second such meeting called by James Clinkskill (M.L.A. for
Battleford, and owner of stores in Saskatoon and Battleford) Barr had acted
badly and the meeting had dispersed.
When Barr reached Battleford, the discontent erupted in earnest, led by
several strong-willed, aggressive colonists who felt insecure and frustrated.
Both Speers at Saskatoon and R. F. Chisholm, agent of Dominion lands at
Battleford, found themselves in a quandary as to what they could do for the
colonists.
Barr violently opposed any attempts by Chisholm to send settlers on ahead
to locate for themselves, and warned James A. Smart, Deputy Minister of the
Interior, "If there is bloodshed and destruction of the colony as a result
I throw whole blame on you." Chisholm, a practical man, had realized how
impracticable was Barr's scheme of allotting homesteads to settlers before they
had seen the land.
He knew also that the people would wish to settle close together for the
sake of church, school, and other advantages, rather than to be scattered
throughout the reservation.
Unable to reason with Barr, Chisholm advised the colonists to proceed at
once from Battleford to the reservation, and to contact Mr. George Langley, the
sub-agent of the lands branch.
As a result, settlers began to move westwards.
When Barr protested, Chisholm told him that not only did the people
distrust him but were beginning to be suspicious of the government officials as
well.
Furthermore, he stated, he did not believe that Barr had any authority to
dictate to the people as to where they should homestead.
Chisholm took this firm stand in order to end Barr's bullying tactics.
When Barr threatened
to
abandon the direction of the movement Chisholm felt that such an act would be
all to the good, although he considered it to be a mere bluff, for Barr would
have laid himself open to legal action by those from whom he had collected
absentee fees.
The dispute was resolved by Smart's firm yet diplomatic telegrams to
Barr, who left Battleford on May 7 full of promises of conciliation and
consultation with the colonists regarding allotments.
But as a safeguard against Barr resuming his dictatorial tactics and
quarrelling with some of the colonists who were "of a decidedly pugnacious
disposition," Inspector McInnis of the N.W.M.P. left Battleford for the
colony on May 10, taking with him a few policemen.
The first general movement of the main party from Battleford to the
settlement began on May 2. Outfits took from one to two weeks to cover the
journey of approximately one hundred miles.
At Bresaylor, the only settlement on their route, they were able to
purchase ponies, milk cows, seed grain and feed at moderate prices.
Rumors were prevalent that prices were high at Barr's store in the
settlement.
The colonists trekked through swampy country and over stretches blackened
by prairie fires.
A heavy snowstorm struck, delaying some for a week.
Fortunately the government tents were available for shelter.
Rev. G. E. Lloyd, chaplain of the party, who had gone on to the
settlement with Barr, began working back down the trail to encourage the
trekkers, and this greatly impressed those settlers who might otherwise have
turned back.
Nevertheless some were met returning from the colony even as late as May
31.
At the colony, where the Stores Syndicate had set up a store and the
settlement headquarters had been established, the colonists met with further
disappointment.
There was great confusion over making homestead entries.
Some colonists accepted their allotments from Barr, while others after
looking over the allotments refused them and entered elsewhere in the
reservation.
The head, quarters camp was soon the scene of angry demonstrations by
colonists who felt that Barr had not lived up to his bargain.
To pacify some of the more aggressive settlers, Barr issued cheques to
reimburse them for money they had paid him for shares in the syndicates.
After a few days at the settlement, Barr returned to Battleford which he
reached on May 15.
With him went the three nurses whom he bad brought to operate his
hospital.
By that time Mr. Lloyd had returned to Battleford.
On Barr's return, Lloyd and others interviewed him and found him willing
to give up all claim to future leadership.
A meeting of the colonists still encamped at Battleford was called, at
which a resolution was passed unanimously to appoint Mr. Lloyd, A.. Still, and
N. Jones to interview Barr and to have an agreement drawn up authorizing Lloyd
to assume the leadership with a provisional committee of twelve members elected
by the colonists.
The desired agreement was formulated, and then to intercept and prevent
more colonists from leaving the settlement, Lloyd, Still, and Jones left
immediately for the headquarters camp.
The Battleford resolution was adopted unanimously at every gathering of
colonists along the trail and by those at the headquarters camp.
The record of Barr's movements and activities betveen May 21 and the
middle of June is vague.
He evidently returned to the headquarters camp to settle business matters
with Lloyd and the committee.
On May 21 a colonist on the trail noted significantly in his diary:
"Mr. Barr and his horse transport arrive in great style.
No N.W.M.P. escort . . . . witness a scene with Barr and big colonist re
C.P.R. land money.
Colonist gets his money." In winding up his business arrangements
with Lloyd and the committee, Barr signed papers to cover the following
agreements: resigning all claim to his homestead and to any other homestead in
the colony; turning over all stores on the ground to the committee to satisfy
the claims of the people for several thousand dollars in shares; making over all
the hospital equipment to satisfy the hospital staff and those who had paid for
hospitalization tickets; and permitting the committee to apply all monies so
realized to satisfy the people's claims for money invested.
In return the committee, who had "pried loose" Barr's account
books from his keeping and had investigated them, gave Barr $800.00 in
recognition of what they called "a moral obligation" in the matter of
the homestead which he had intended to enter.
By June 5 Barr had returned to Battleford, where he settled up more of
his affairs and refunded money paid to him for C.P.R. land.
Some colonists there distrusted him so much that they patrolled the
Battle River bridge to prevent him leaving Battleford until his accounts were
settled.
Barr left Battleford for Saskatoon on June 12, drawing the comment from
the Herald and Saskatoon Phenix that
Barr's people could sing with heart and voice "Britons never will be
slaves." There is no record of Barr's activities in Saskatoon.
On July 8 he left for Winnipeg, via Regina, where he barely escaped being
rotten-egged by some Englishmen.
In Winnipeg, when interviewed by the press, Barr defended his operations.
This drew rebuttals from "Britannia Colony," as the settlement
had been renamed.
From Winnipeg Barr proceeded to Ottawa to press his claims to a bonus for
bringing over the settlers.
In a press interview he stated that although he had received $13,000 in
commissions on steamship tickets, he had spent $8,000 on his London office,
while incidental and unforeseen expenses had more than exhausted the remaining
$5,000.
He said, "I was not in this work out of feelings of pure
philanthropy, and would think it would only be fair that I have my services
appreciated." He felt satisfied with the migration as he claimed that over
1,800 of those who had come over had settled on the land, and the remainder were
scattered around the country working for others as they had intended to do.
But he was not successful in his attempt to secure the bonus from the
government.
Instead of returning to England and gathering a group to emigrate in
1904, as he had repeatedly stated was his plan, Barr went to the United States.
He wrote to Smart from Chicago in December, 1903, suggesting that a full
investigation into the affairs of the colony be made in a proper court.
He was willing to appear in a Canadian court, but he wrote, "As I am
an American subject, I shall ask the protection of the American
Government." Whether this statement was a bluff, or whether he had already
taken out his first papers for American citizenship can only be conjectured.
He again referred to the bonuses to which he considered himself entitled
"and which you promised me," asking that they be used to meet any just
debts he had incurred in connection with the colony.
He claimed to possess copies of documents which had implied that he
should receive the bonus, and threatened to have the copies produced in court.
Smart was unmoved by this threat and denied ever having promised to pay
Barr bonuses, but stated that the matter had been left in abeyance.
He felt that the Department might have taken a very liberal view of the
whole situation (i.e., might have paid Barr bonuses) if it had not been found
necessary to spend so much money to provide against the chance of disaster in
the colony; the Department had spent many times the amount that the bonuses
would have totalled.
In view of these facts, and because no responsibility could be attached
to the Department for the failure of the movement to work out in Barr's
interest, Smart refused either to make any payment to Barr or to undertake the
investigation he had suggested.
Barr's correspondence with government officials apparently ceased
accordingly. Rumors
and newspaper reports indicated that Barr had dropped the title of
"Reverend" and had entered business in the United States.
It is believed that later on he took a group of Americans as colonists to
Australia.
A newspaper despatch from Melbourne in January, 1937, reported that he
had died in that country on January 22, 1937.
A restless individual, with a fertile mind and a facile pen, Barr was
capable of planning but not of implementing.
At the age of fifty he emerged from an unspectacular career to become
involved in an emigration project which became rather famous.
His movement began for the economic betterment of a group who were
largely dependent upon others, but developed into a selfish scheme for his own
advantage.
To some who worked with him he appeared fundamentally honest, but unable
to resist the financial temptations which his plans created.
To others, especially those with whom he had disputes, he appeared
completely selfish and dishonest.
These critics blamed all the suffering of the colonists upon Barr's
greed.
Of his three advance agents, W. S. Bromhead and Rev.
John Robbins remained loyal to him and optimistic regarding the
settlement scheme, but both returned to England before Barr's collapse as
leader.
Possibly neither Bromhead nor Robbins saw as much evidence of Barr's
failure as did Mr. Charles May, who had been the first advance agent sent out,
and who remained to home, stead near Battleford.
Mr. May came to regard Barr as a "bester," chiefly interested
in personal gain.
The majority of the colonists lost faith in Barr because, after building
up their hopes and producing such grandiose plans, he disappointed them.
From their embarkation at Liverpool to their arrival at the settlement,
they met with disillusionment.
As a result they suspected Barr not only of bungling but of dishonesty.
There was not too much complaint over their hardships, for Barr had
warned them that they would have to face up to difficulties.
There is no doubt that Barr was autocratic, quick-tempered, and
undiplomatic.
Being too self-centered to accept criticism, he turned many against him.
After his failure as a leader, he still believed himself capable of
organizing a second project the following year, avoiding the perplexing details
of his first attempt.
Perhaps the fairest statement of Barr's weaknesses would be that although
he could plan details and organize enterprises in general outline, he lacked the
ability to administer them.
He did not possess the tact and business qualifications necessary for the
management of so extensive an undertaking.
To his credit must be placed the initiation of the plan for emigration
and settlement; but credit for its fulfilment must be given to the Rev.G. E.
Lloyd for his inspiration, to the Canadian government for its assistance, and
principally to the settlers themselves for their tenacity.
CLIVE
TALLANT.
A
Letter of the Rev.
I. M. Barr
(From
the Saloway Paper Archives of Saskatchewan)
BRITISH
COLONY FOR THE SASKATCHEWAN VALLEY
NORTH
WESTERN CANADA
(Under
the Sanction of the Canadian Government)
Founder
and Director
Rev.
I. M. Barr;
Fleet Street,
London, E. C.
Head Offices: 14, Serjeants' Inn
TO: Mr.
Ben. P. Saloway,
23,
St. Mary's Street,
Bridgnorth
Dear
Sir
I
have the pleasure in enclosing Homestead form you ask for, which kindly fill in
carefully and return with homestead fee of £2.18. I hope that you may
be able to join the settlement in the course of a year.
I notice that you lived in Boston Mass. for a time and therefore know
something of life in the far West.' Hoping to hear from you again.
In
haste.
Yours
truly,
I.
M. Barr
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