Letter to John Dickey from W. Archibald (March 18, 1892)

by Suzanne | May 30, 2023 10:01 pm

This interesting letter from William Archibald to “Mr. John Dickey” in Rhode Island, dated Mar 3, 1892, was recently shared with me by my cousin Nancy Porter, daughter of Amaret (Smyth) Porter. In it, he urges John to come west to join him in a cattle ranching operation. He writes from Wapella Station, N.W.T., which then included “Assiniboia” part of which later became Saskatchewan.

Here is the transcription of the letter made by Nancy’s husband Steve Porter.

Many thanks to them for enriching the Waters Family archive!

Wapella Station

C.P.R.

N.W.T.

March 18/92

Dear John I had a letter from Dave today I wrote him about getting some one to come out to me and also asked him where you were today I got your address from him. How would you like to come out here and go into the ranching business with me. I am just about giving up grain growing as the work is too hard for the profit that’s in it but there is money and easy made in cattle we don’t stable their fed out-doors and horses that we don’t work get there own living the year round. Now John if you will come I can give you for the first year $15.00 for the summer months and $10.00 for the Winter. There is very little to do here in winter no bush work like in Doboit [sic]. I am sure that if you will make up your mind to come that you will not be sorry if you have not money to invest in stock I will give you an interest in some until you get into them. There is no end to the hay I have quite a band of cattle and some horses Now John when ever you get this make up your mind what you will do at once and drop me a note at once without fail I will wait a return letter from you before I do any thing more about one.

Yours sincerely W. Archibald

Wapella Station

P.S. C.P.R.

Don’t fail to give me a prompt answer W.A. N.W.T

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