Correspondence, Consists primarily of letters written to Ella Inderwick by Mary Macleod (wife of Col. James F. Macleod) and Louisa Scobie.

Transcription

1 Glenbow Archives, Ella Inderwick fonds (M-559-2) Correspondence, Consists primarily of letters written to Ella Inderwick by Mary Macleod (wife of Col. James F. Macleod) and Louisa Scobie. [no date] My dear Mrs. Inderwick I am so vexed that I am engaged for the theater tonight. I should have liked so much to go with you but I suppose it can t be helped. If you are not otherwise engaged I will dine with you tomorrow night and we can go to church. You might telephone if I am to come. I do want to see Mr. Inderwick, thank you so much for asking Nellie, but it is too late getting home for her. Did they tell you at the Queens that I called the other day? With much love Mary Macleod. Saturday --- [incomplete] We are living along in the same old way. I fancy if you were to drop down on the beautiful town of Macleod you would find very few changes the children are growing and Jim and I are growing older and grayer. Nell is a tall straight girl of fifteen. She is doing very well at school and is such a dear useful girl and the greatest comfort in the house. Norman is a bright manly little fellow full of life and fun and always ready with a helping hand but I am sorry to say thinks cricket and foot-ball much more in his line then lessons. They both leave us in a fortnight - again for Toronto and Port Hope. The twins and Jean are getting on nicely at school here. Mrs. Hilton gives them music and French lessons. I am glad your boys are so well. You are so lucky in being able to send them to good schools. Jim would like to put Norman in the Navy, but as I have only one boy I object to having him too far away from me. I saw Mrs. Geddes a short time ago, on her way home from Ottawa and Toronto. She and Frank looked so well and had had a most delightful visit. Mrs. Garneth spent last winter in Calafornia and underwent some terrible operation in Fresno and I believe there is a chance of her being quite strong but she looked very ill on her way home. Mr. Pocklington has been removed to the Indian office in Regina and [? ] Mr. Haultain has been there for a long time now, you can fancy how we miss them. Mr. Godsal looks so well doesn t grow a day older. The Yews [?] are in Calgary there was another little girl born the other day. I believe they are coming to the ranch to live.

2 I hope to hear from you soon again dear Mrs. Inderwick. Remember Jim and me most kindly to Mr. Inderwick when you write. We often think about you both and wish you were near us again. Jim sends you his very kind regards, with love, Believe me Very sincerely yours, M. I. Macleod My dear Mrs. Inderwick I suppose you were awfully amused when you heard that I had returned to Macleod. I am rather amused at myself and vow never to make any more last-ever plans unless they are that I shall stay here for the rest of my life. I left Nellie and Norman at school and brought the other three back with me. We are pretty comfortable and I don t hate the place quite as much as I did. I saw your sister just before I left Winnipeg. She has such nice pretty rooms and I think is quite happy, but she was wishing so much that you were there also. There is a story going the rounds here, which I most sincerely hope is true that Mr. Inderwick has been left $ l of which $ is to go to you. I know how much you will enjoy spending it. Your photograph came today. I am so glad to get it and think it very good but Mr. Inderwick s certainly does not do him justice. I hope to get a better one of him some day. I can hardly believe that he has really started for S. America. I wish you were both back here again. Capt. And Mrs. Scobie were down for two days and returned yesterday. They both look so well. Louise is coming again on Thursday to stay a week as Capt. S. is going on a ball roundup. The Yews are having an awful time with their servants. Those they brought out left in a very short time and then Mrs. Scobie brought what was thought to be a splendid woman for them from Toronto. She very soon kicked up her heels, married Perry and they have both left. Perry I hear is knocking about the village looking very unhappy with nothing to do. I suppose you get all the Pincher Creek news from Mrs. Geddes. I saw her a short time ago at a ball at Pincher Creek. Mrs. Humphrey was very flourishing and all the ladies looked remarkably well. I still hope to take the children to Toronto in the Autumn to school and we will surely see you then. I was so glad to get your letter in Winnipeg. I hope you are not very angry with me for not answering it. I seemed to be very busy all the time I was there. I am having a very easy time of it just now, the house is small and Janet is very good. By the way Janet would like you to send her some needles for the sewing machine she bought from you if you will be so kind. She says Mrs. Humphrey broke all she had and she will send you the money as soon as she knows what to send. Major Cotton is here with his bride, staying with the Kennedys. She is a nice pretty little woman. The weather is and has been almost ever since I returned so wonderfully fine, it was uncomfortably hot today while out walking tho I wore a print-dress and straw hat. The twins and Jean are so well and as happy as they can be. I will send you their photos presently and you must send me the boys. Jim wishes to be kindly remembered and with love Believe me

3 Very sincerely yours Mary I. Macleod Macleod, Jan.2 nd / 90 My dear Mrs. Inderwick, A very happy New Year to You and Yours. It is so good of you to write to me again when I did not answer your last. I can t quite tell you why I did not write but I assure you the legal tone of yours had nothing to do with it. Jim was so annoyed that you should have had so much bother and gave me so many messages for you that my heart failed me and I put off from day to day however I am beginning the year well and my first letter is to you. The cloth is lovely strange to say I was wishing for one as I had heard that they were all the rage and hadn t seen one. It was so good of you dear Mrs. Inderwick to do it for me. You will be surprised to hear that I have been quite ill for more than a week with a terrible cold and in bed most of the time. I am so seldom ill that I don t know myself. Jim has got it now and is trying to sneeze his poor head off. There seems to be a regular epidemic, every other person you hear of is either laid up or going to be. We were at Pincher Creek not long ago for Theatricals, which we enjoyed very much. The White Fraser are a great acquisition but the old actors think there was not half the fun about these that there was about those two winters ago. Jim thinks that nothing can make up for the absence of two such shining lights as himself and Mr. Inderwick. Now I must tell you of a Great Calamity that has happened to us the Garnetts gave a ball last night and we were not asked, it is terrible being deliberately put out of society in that way. We gave great offence by not going there last summer as we had promised so we are now to feel the height of their displeasure. Mrs. Geddes looks well and jolly she is trying hard to get a servant as is Miss G [?] must have a month s rest. Did you know that Mrs. Yew was expecting. I hear that a horse is about her size and she is as proud as Punch. The children are all very well. Mr. Hilton has started a small school so Nellie and Norman go to him and are getting on very well. The twins go to the Common school and are doing very well too. Tell dear Jack that I liked his kiss very much and kiss both the dear boys for me. Jim had a long letter from Mr. Inderwick not long ago. He seems very well. Jim and the children join me in love to you and Believe me dear Mrs. Inderwick Very sincerely yours Mary I. Macleod (On Banff Springs Hotel letterhead)

4 July 3 rd, 1890 My dear Mrs. Inderwick It was very good of you to write immediately on receipt of my letter and now that I can do as I please of a morning I must try to tell you a little about this lovely spot. I was very busy indeed for some time back at home, [unreadable] and preparing for the wedding. We had quite a nice little party at the breakfast-or-luncheon and every one said things went off well. The bride and groom looked very happy but it was a good illustration of your remark about small men wedding [?] tall women. I think Mr. Barnes must have to stand on his tip toes to kiss his wife unless she comes down to his level. We had lunch with them when we were in Macleod on our way here and they have such a nice little house and such lots of pretty things. Before any more scribbling I must thank you for the photo of the boys which is so good and which I am so glad to have. How they have grown. Jack is the image of his father and Basil is a splendid looking little chap. I am only sorry you did not send me the family group. Neil and I saw it at Mrs. Geddys and the boys are just as good as in the one by [unclear] and you are perfect. It is such a natural picture. You must be having a lively time [unreadable] all these girls and in Ottawa too you seem to have had a pretty good time of it, in spite of not going out much. Isn t it funny how English people the Upper 10 amongst them behave themselves when they think they are in the backwoods? I hope Jack s back is all right now. You do not mention it in your second letter. You are right about liking to have a doctor for a friend if he is a man of any principle he can do so much. I think Dr. Mead has improved in this matter if talking about his patients. He is a kindhearted man. I suppose you have heard that he is trying to get a divorce from his wife. I cannot understand the man a bit but am sorry for him. We have been away from home for two weeks now and have both of us enjoyed the change so far. We came via Calgary, spent a day there and on here by the night train. It is just a week this morning since we got here and we have only had rain one day and then only a shower or two, but the wind was cold all day. The rest of the time has been hot and it is really a treat to feel sure that it is Summer. This is such a lovely restful place, and the hotel very comfortable and cheerful. There are lots of verandas to walk about on and from all the view is exquisite. We have been fortunate in meeting people that we knew. Major Stewart was here when we arrived and treated us to a long drive the day we came up to the Hot Springs and round the new park. I believe he has or has had till now, a share in the stables so I suppose it did not cost him much and it is so expensive here anyway, that one does not want to hire horses very often. I have bathed both in the Cave and in the open basin. The atmosphere in the cave is very stifling [sic] at first, particularly when one goes in after walking but undressed and in the water one does not seem to feel it and it is pleasant to be sheltered from the sun in this hot weather. In the other place the water is much warmer. In both there are these strange holes where the water springs up and the sand in them feels quite hot to one s feet. There seems to be no bottom to some of them. There are not many places to go to here but I like to have time to take in the beauty of the immediate surroundings of the hotel. We went up in a tiny steam launch one afternoon - but it was not so nice as we expected it was so hot and too many people in the boat so that we all felt cramped. We hope to go to Devil s Lake one day soon. Neil wants to fish and Mr. Harper the Justice officer here has promised to drive us. Do you remember Mr. Harper when he was a sergeant? The Lieutenant Gov. of B.C. is

5 here just now with his wife - pleasant people to talk to, but they walk about as if every time they move it were part of a State Procession. This is such an enormous house that it can never be full I should think. This room is [unreadable] as a writing room and I am quite alone the drawing room is empty. I have been wandering about the passages and see some people sitting in the Rotunda - a delightful place overlooking the Bow and the Spray. There is such a pretty waterfall just below the house on the Bow. We did think of going on to the coast but it is so frightfully expensive that we find we cannot manage it and will just stay here till it is time to go to Calgary to meet the stage to take us home. Next Tuesday night at 10 I suppose we must go, as we shall require a day in Calgary. Probably we shall be glad enough to go home by that time. Remember us very kindly to Mr. Inderwick when you write. My husband sends his very kind regards to you and with much love to yourself and kisses to the boys (if they don t despise kisses) Believe me, my dear Mrs. Inderwick, Yours very truly, Louisa Scobie Church Missionary Society Mission, Omoksene Macleod, Alberta, N.W.T. Canada Jan 2 nd 1890 My dear Mrs. Inderwick Your husband received the Marriage Certificate at the time the Ceremony took place. I remember cutting Duplicate forms out of the Book. I have sent a [paper torn] of the same which is all that can be required as far as I know. Certainly you received the original at the time. Should this no be satisfactory will you let me know and I will send you a form and get Mr. [?] to sign it and you can send it to your Brother for his signature but you had better get some Solicitor to say if this is necessary. Things are about the same in this district as when you left and we hope next year to have a railway into Macleod. I am pleased to say my wife and and family 2 boys and one girl are all well. And trust yours are. Wishing you a Happy New Year and many of them Believe me Sincerely yours Samuel Trivett Feorlig Macleod, Alberta, Canada Oct 12 th /91

6 My dear Mrs. Inderwick, I have had such a hunt [?] this evening for your last letter of June 5 th. Both my husband and I are careless about our keeping places for letters and must really try to mend our ways. I am becoming a very bad correspondent. Why, it is hard to say except that there is so little to write about, and there is always lots of sewing to do if one has not visitors. I have had a most comfortable Summer in the way of housework, ad Janet who used to be with Mrs. Macleod took compassion on me and has been such a comfort. But there seems to have been such a heap of sewing to do both for myself and the Guild. Now, however there is a dress maker to be had, a Miss Sharp, a niece of Alf. Wilson s. I think she is rather good but she has not made a dress for me only altered a shirt and put sleeves into a waist which was already fitted but these two things were very nicely done. Besides Miss Sharp who goes out by the day of week, Mrs. Smyth, Billy Smyth s mother, takes in sewing and I believe does it very well indeed. We have had a small winter lasting 3 or 4 days and after wards a week of perfect weather. We returned to our print dresses and every one enjoyed it. Imagine our disgust when Saturday last proved gloomy and cloudy and on Sunday morning, the day of our Harvest Thanksgiving service we woke to find rain pouring down steadily. By the afternoon the ground was white with snow. In spite of the bad weather, we had a very hearty service but that evening there were so few voices that I could hear nothing at times but the organ. You said when you wrote that the [time?] was out of joint the effect probably of the bad cold from which you were suffering and I am sorry that poor little Jack is so often ailing but trust that the treatment has been successful and that you have not been obliged to pay another trying visit to Dr. Buller. You must be thankful to have Basil so strong and healthy even though he is a mischief. I think a sturdy boy is generally rather inclined that way. There is consternation in Macleod over the news that the town is to be moved to the other side of the river, and I m afraid it means serious loss to many. For us I suppose it means that Pincher Creek will remain very much as it is but if the new Macleod is a really good town it it would make living much easier even here. We are to have and entertainment in aid of the building fund for our Vicarage on the 4 th of Nov. which is to consist of a good square meal and a promenade Concert. After that is over, Capt. Scobie and I hope to go somewhere for a trip to spend the winter months, but have not yet decided where. I would like very much to go to southern California but do not know whether we can manage it. The McLeans [?] have gone away for the winter and the Wilmots are trying to sell and leave the country altogether, at least this part of it. Mrs. W. is expecting in Feb. but they will go to Macleod for that event. Mr. Geddes has been an invalid for a long time this Summer a bad knee procured at Polo and broken ribs since then and Mrs. Geddes is far from strong and cannot take care of herself. Dr. Mead got rather badly hurt at Polo on Saturday. Indeed some accident is always happening and I think the game had better be given up. If we get to any civilized place this winter I hope we shall hear some good music. I envy you the [?] concert. By the way I nearly forget to tell you that Miss Miles and Mr.Heaton are engaged and are to be married next month. Dr. Smith and his bride are expected on Friday and we are of course all curious to see the lady and hope she will be nice.

7 Mrs. Garnett, her husband and son are away having a trip to Calgary. I hope the weather will soon improve for their sakes as well as our own. Tomorrow we expect Judge and Mrs. Macleod but I fancy their visit will be a very flying one just for the Court on Wednesday. I don t believe there is another scrap of news to be [ -----stered] so I had better stop scribbling. My good man wishes to be very kindly remembered to you and we both hope to hear that you have good news of Mr. Inderwick. With much love to your self and the children, especially Basil, I am ever, dear Mrs. Inderwick, Yrs. Very sincerely, Louisa Scobie Macleod Dec. 3 rd /91 My dear Mrs. Inderwick I am afraid you find that as a correspondent I do not improve but I must not let Christmas come without writing to you and that being a time of peace you won t have it in your heart to cherish any vexed feelings. It was a great disappointment not being able to go East with the children this Autumn. I felt so certain about going and had made so many plans as to how I should spend my time and I certainly was going to see you but really the children are becoming such an expense there seems to be no money left for us to do anything with. We are living along in the same old way. There was quite a little excitement here when it was first known for certain that the Railway would not come into Macleod and every one was for moving over to the new town site at once [?] and taking their houses with them, but the precious R.R. people have not condescended yet to say where the town will be. The Scobies have gone to Calafornia for the winter. They think of remaining there for 6 months stay - may then return here in Spring to see how things are and then go on to Scotland. I am so glad they got away. Mrs. Scobie was looking miserable and Neil was behaving about as badly as he could. Mr. Godsal returned from England about 3 weeks ago looking very fine but feeling like old scratch he brought a very silent young cousin with him. We see Mr. Ruthledge every few weeks but I fancy you get all the Pincher Creek news from Mrs. Geddes. The Wilmots have sold their ranch and are coming into Macleod for the Winter. She is expecting sometime in Feb. this has been a wonderful season for babies, you find one in nearly every house. We have had a lovely Autumn so far, but it is cold this morning and a little snow on the ground. I hear from Nellie that they are having very bad [?] weather in Toronto. She is very wll and happy and likes the school. Norman is at Port Hope where he seems to be enjoying life very much - they are both well and strong I am happy to say. I wonder if you have seen Mr. Inderwick this Summer this long separation is pretty hard on you poor girl, but dear Mrs. Inderwick tho I would love to have you living here there is no denying the fact that this is a sadly demoralizing place. Jim says that as far as being competent for the position you spoke of, Mr. Inderwick is perfectly so don t lose heart. You have been so good and patient always. You will have your reward some day.

8 I hope the dear boys are well. I hope Jack s throat is giving you no more anxiety. We are all very well, the twins are growing such tall girls and Jean is very broad and strong. Jim is looking very well he is off to Regina tomorrow to be gone 10 days. Will you remember us most kindly to Mr. Inderwick when you write again. Jim joins me in love to you and the dear children and wishing you a very merry Xmas and happy New Year. Believe me, dear Mrs. Inderwick, Very sincerely yours, M. I. Macleod. Feorlig March My dear Mrs. Inderwick, I have been wishing to write to you but it seems very difficult for me to write nowadays. Neil is sending you a photo of our little Margaret which, though taken last July is still very like her. I was going to send one at the time, but first did not know where to find you and then we ran out of the photos and have only recently got a new supply. Indeed I think that is why I did not write for some time. I wanted to have the photo to send. I am sure you have been getting all the news from others and we are so quiet, we don t see very much of anyone. Mrs. Geddes is getting well after a nasty fall off her horse. [? ] is growing a big girl and rides about in a most independent manner. We have Mary and Roma Macleod with us just now and they have such romps with Baby who talks of them as the children. She is a bright little creature and is such a source of happiness to us. It is so sweet to hear her little feet pattering about the house and her little voice talking or singing to her dollies, or chattering like a magpie to Janet. It is considered quite an accomplishment that she knows nearly all the letters of the Alphabet. The time runs on so fast and every day brings some advance, so that babyhood is being quite left behind. Lately we ae quite sorry to find that Yes has taken the place of Ess which was a dear little word and also that the small child no longer uses my for me which had a very funny sound. We used to call her Little My. How are all your boys? I feel quite in the dark about you, except that ever so long ago, Mrs. Geddes told me you were back in Canada. Is Mr. Inderwick with you? I am sure you were shocked to hear of [ ] Macleod s death. It has made this country seem very lonely to us. We have not seen Mrs. Macleod since, but Nellie and Jean were here for a short time and we have had the twins for a couple of months. I m afraid their Mother wants them to return to Calgary very soon. Neil is going there tomorrow to attend the Conservative Convention and will be away for more than a week. I am glad the twins will be here, for Margaret will miss her father very much. Mrs. Fry too is coming to stay for a while, so I should not be alone, but it seems a long time to be without the old man he so seldom leaves us. We have good sleighing just now and quite cold weather, 12 below zero the other night and it feels quite cold tonight. It must do a lot of harm to the stock as lots of calves are coming.

9 I think I must not write much more tonight but if you will write I will try to do better. This is just to tell you that we are alive and often think of you all. I would like to see you all and specially Basil. Would you like to see The Banner of Gold, a Keely paper? It is rubbish as a newspaper, but gives addresses and some information. We saw a good deal of the Keely works and Neil would gladly give you any information about it. I do hope you won t think me impertinent but Mrs. Macleod told me you had asked her about it and I always meant to write and am ashamed of not having done so. Neil wishes to be very kindly remembered to you and with kind love from myself I must say Good Night and Believe me, Yrs. Very sincerely Louisa Scobie Keoldale Durness Lairg Sutherland Oct. 24 th [1895] My dear Mrs. Inderwick, I daresay you have heard from Mrs. Geddes of our departure from Pincher Creek and so will have understood my long silence. I really had not time to breath for some time before we left. We met a friend of yours on the Manchester [?] who will have spoken of us to you. We were so glad to hear from her of you. I do hope your business is turning out a grand success. We have not seen much of the world since we arrived on this side of the Pond as this is really the uttermost end of the earth - 60 miles from a railway station and such a disagreeable climate at this season wind and rain and hail, alternately or all together almost every day. We had a few fine days after we first came here on the 14 th of Sept. Capt. Scobie s brother Mackay with his wife and 2 little were here with us for two weeks and you may suppose it was a happy meeting for the brothers after 10 years of separation. We had never met Mrs. Mackay Scobie and of course we wanted to see the children. They and Margaret get on pretty well together and it was so good for her to be with children near her own age. We hope to see more of them later on, but Mackay himself must return to Burmah [?] very soon, I m afraid about the 9 th of next month. There are so many vacant places since we were here last, that there is much of sadness in our pleasure. Just one sister left now of the three who once were here, and all the old people gone the house seems almost empty and the churchyard enclosure very full. It is a very healthy, bracing climate though not particularly pleasant. Margaret is growing fat and strong though at the present time is suffering from vaccination, which operation was performed a week ago yesterday, with most satisfactory results. Evening I stopped writing in the afternoon to go out for a walk with Alice, to show the boy where to get some leaf mould for the plants. We had a good sharp walk and lots of fresh air and felt all the better of it. After coming in Margaret came and demanded attention she is feeling rather miserable. Poor little mite and I m afraid will have another restless night. Neil and his brother were out at a political meeting this evening a wonderful piece of excitement for Durneds.

10 We spent a day in Edinburgh on our way North and Part of a day in Liverpool. I did most thoroughly enjoy the comfort of the [Adelphi?] Hotel. It was so good to get a nice cup of tea after not being able to drink any all the way across the Atlantic. This is really a beautiful place in fine weather several lovely drives along the sea shore and a pretty bay in full view of the drawing room windows. We miss the church services very much. Of course we go to the Presbyterian Church, but it does not seem altogether like going to church. 25 th. One more attempt to finish this letter which will be rather a disjointed affair, but I want to write to you and to hear from you. This has been a horrid day of rain and sleet. WE went to church to hear some strangers who came to inspect the condition of church matters in the parish. We have no day here in which to accomplish anything, breakfast is so late. However I must try and be smarter myself and do something before breakfast. We have Janet with us, so Margaret is very happy. She is better today and I hope will soon be herself again. I do hope Basil will pass his exams all right it seems so strange to think of him in the light of a student, while it seems so short a time since he was a baby in arms. Now dear Mrs. Inderwick please return good for evil and write to me soon again. This address will always find us while we are in this country and we do not expect to return to Canada until the Spring. I wish Mr. Inderwick could come out to you. It must be terribly lonely for you both. I have heard of several new Keely Graduates all so well and making their homes happy. I suppose it is too new fashioned even yet, to meet with approbation from English people. Neil sends his very kind regards and with much love from myself to you and the boys, Ever believe me dear Mrs. Inderwick, Yrs. Very sincerely Louisa Scobie