The Bell Farm Squatters - 1882 - 1884
A unique group of settlers to come to the Bell Farm stated that they arrived before Major Bell and his entourage arrived in June 1882. Known as squatters, they staked out land claims to areas that they hoped to homestead themselves. Between 1882 and 1883 their dispute was arbitrated among several representatives for both sides. The matter was finally resolved on Nov. 20, 1884. Some of the squatters identified to date include:
• John Boyd
• Charles Braithwaite
• Edwin J. Brooks
• Robert R. Coleman
• J.D. Jewitt
• Hugh S. McLeod
• William McLeod
• John Stevenson
• Stephen S. Stiles
• George Thompson
In addition to the squatters, others who visited the Bell Farm to deal with this matter included the two federally-appointed Arbitrators: John Fisher Wood [M.P. for Brockville] representing Major Bell and George Taylor [M.P. for South Leeds] representing the Squatters; as well as W.H. Stevenson, the Dominion Lands Agent in Regina, who was assigned by the federal government to document the squatters issue. Moreover, Thomas C. Johnstone, a Regina lawyer, also represented the squatters during these negotiations.
As well, several survey parties were involved in marking out the various squatter's land claims and improvements. Zepherin C. Dupuis, Dominion Land Surveyor was there from August 16-22, 1882, along with his crew:
- Elzear Laberge, Chainman
- Emile Martineau, Chainman
- Derilas Laberge, Cook
- Alphonse Michel, Moundman
- ________ Turcotte, Moundman
- Michel Pattenaude, Flagman
SOURCES:
List of Squatters: http://books.google.ca/books?id=OKQgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA205&dq=%22+woods+MP%22+%22brockville%22+%22major+Bell%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JKz6TtqTIOTy0gGL48iaAg&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22%20woods%20MP%22%20%22brockville%22%20%22major%20Bell%22&f=false
Surveyor's Note Book, Zepherin C. Dupuis, August 1882
Thomas C. Johnstone - "Regina Leader": 21 Feb. 1884, p. 4
RESEARCH BY:
As with the Visitors' Register album, most of the information and photos for the entries in this album have been located and provided by Michelle Cabana, of Saskatoon, with assistance from Linda Kort, Indian Head, and Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.