The Diary of Sgt. and Dr. Noel Arthur Savignac
For the Years 1885-1891
Told in His Own Words
with Comments
and Explanatory Notes
by His Son
Dr. Eugene Savignac
* * * * *
(This is the diary of Noel Arthur Savignac (1861-1925), a native of Berthier, Quebec, who served in the Royal Canadian Army and who later became a physician in the town of Amesbury, Massachusetts. It begins in the spring of 1885 with an account of his participation in an uprising led by a half-breed Indian, Riel, in Western Canada, and ends in mid-1891, shortly after the death of one of his patients. The diary was transcribed (and, presumably, translated) by his son Eugene Savignac (1909-1966), who was also an M.D.)
[March 27, 1885] Kingston, Ontario. Orders from headquarters have arrived and were sent to Lt. Col. Montizambert at about 10:00 PM on March 27, 1885, to alert the group of one hundred men and have them ready to leave for the front in the Northwest. The men immediately showed signs of excitement.
[March 28, 1885] The following day, or Saturday morning -- medical inspection. I was accepted. We began to get ready and at four o'clock formed ranks. We were 8 officers, 108 noncoms and privates, 2 cannons, 9 wagons, and 18 horses.
People began to gather around Fort Frontenac in short order, and it soon became difficult to see the gate to get inside. Before forming ranks we had the opportunity to see our parents, our friends, our sweethearts so dear -- all forming part of this moving multitude of men, women, and children of all ages exchanging happy remarks. The time of departure was getting closer by the minute, and leaning on our guns and armed from head to foot, we tried to answer the remarks of the people and bid our farewells without letting our emotions get the best of us. We felt strong. For about one hour we moved in all directions, hugging people and shaking hands with everybody, laughing and acting the same as if we were going on a routine march or picnic.
The group of people, our parents, friends, sweethearts and fiancees, with tears in their eyes, were all bidding us farewell and good-bye ... and, hiding our feelings of pain at leaving them, we replied in as happy a way as we could. I felt so proud and was so impressed with the whole thing, that I wish never to forget this scene, and to preserve this memory, I am entering these notes in my diary.
All of us soldiers were proud of our ability to hold back our emotions and tears until our departure, and I hope that the expedition will come to a successful and happy ending. The spectacle which was unfolding before my eyes was really touching and difficult to describe. It is 4:00 PM. The bugle sounded for the last time and ranks were formed quickly. One hundred and sixteen men armed to the teeth presented a nice spectacle. Our commander, Major Short, gave us orders to march to the train. As soon as the signal was given by Colonel Montizambert, the band of the 14th Battalion began to play at the head of the marching column.
It looked to me as if this was only a routine drill, when I looked at the perfect manner each man was marching, erect and keeping perfect step with the rest of the column, a determined mood in their eyes, and a willingness for battle which seemed to be passed on from one man to the next.
The crowd had now increased enormously and cheered us on as we passed, and in this wonderful mass of people the feminine sex, if not the most numerous, was nevertheless well represented. The women inhabitants of Kingston also wished to cheer these young men as they were leaving to fight for the integrity of the Northwest and for the defense of individual ownership of property, to emulate our forefathers who fought a long time ago to obtain the liberty of which we are so jealous and so proud today.
As we left the barracks, the cheers and hurrahs were so loud and thunderous from the throats of the crowd that the walls of the fort trembled as with an earthquake.
We entrained at 1:30 PM. As the train was leaving, the band played "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and "God Save the Queen." Everybody was using a handkerchief and the hurrahs and good-byes were repeated as well as good wishes for a safe return home. The Misses Lalonde were looking out their windows. Josephine was bidding me good-bye and waved her handkerchief until the train had rounded a curve, on its way to Pembroke, and we could no longer see each other. All along the railroad right of way people were gathered at houses and stations. They were applauding with their hands and bidding us adieu, good-bye, and "safe home." We tried to pass the time away by playing cards, and our own musicians played tunes on tin fifes and a violin, and everyone seemed to be in a happy mood. Out of the clear sky two soldiers, Thomas and Montgomery, started to fight. Thomas treated his opponent the same way he would like to have treated [the rebel Indian] Riel. He was arrested and sent out under guard by the military police. As soon as he was gone, we started our game once again. When the train reached Lake Chabot, the horses were watered. Plenty of bread and cheese were loaded and we started moving once again. We ate our bread and cheese with water, satisfied, contented and happy.
At 11:00 o'clock we stopped at Renfrew and fifteen minutes later Battery "A" arrived and the two trains were coupled so as to proceed as one train. The entire population of Renfrew was at the railroad station as the train was ready to leave and all was under control. A farmer jumped onto a flat car and removing the tarpaulin from one of the cannons said, "I want to see into the throat of that blasted gun!"
After the arrival of Battery "A", the two batteries were mingled and we were flying once again to the Northwest, the two locomotives hauling the happy train. Battery "A" comprised eight officers and 100 men. I was happy to renew acquaintance with those whom I had left on December 31, 1884, when I was transferred to Battery "B" as Staff Sergeant. They also were happy to see me after an absence of eight months, and they shook my hand.
Sunday, March 29, 1885. I lay down to get some sleep about 3 o'clock in the morning but I had a hard time falling asleep. I was using Sergeant Walsh as a pillow and he was constantly moving around, like an old lady. I was still able to rest and dropped off to sleep in about an hour.
The train went through Pembroke station at 2:20 AM and the local band was playing har-monious music as the entire population cheered us. This display of encouragement was very pleasing to all of us. At 6:00 AM we stopped at Deux Rivieres (Two Rivers). More receptions, as the band was playing Canadian music, and the crowd was larger. At 8 o'clock we ate breakfast in Matawa and we were so hungry that everything tasted good. At 9:00 AM we moved on once again. The farther north we moved, the more the country was deserted and wild.
At intervals we stopped at railroad stations which were very bare and poor. The houses had only one door, of rough and unplaned lumber. The frames were made of logs laid one over the other and the walls had window openings without glass panes. They measured as much as fifteen feet long and three to four feet in height. The boarding houses were distinguished from the other buildings be a short pole with a red rag tied at the end.
The inhabitants of this section of the country were made up of Italians working in the construction crews of the Canadian Pacific Railway as well as "Metis" and Indians. The poor devils were so scared of us that they scrambled in all directions not knowing what the commotion was all about. At noon -- dinner with boiled beef and bread. This was not too appetizing and it was my unpleasant duty to bring each man his share. There was plenty of grumbling and complaining. The old soldiers threw their portions out the window. I told them that they would be sorry later, but the squawking and complaints grew louder. I kept telling them, "Just go without, as I have nothing else to give you." I gave my own portion to a soldier complaining louder than the rest in an effort to shut him up.
The dinner was finally over with and the train proceeded through very wild country over a rough and extremely uneven roadbed. It was impossible to make much speed as the train was quite long and the cars heavily loaded. All of a sudden the train stopped on account of a breakdown on several cars and one of the railroad employees attempting to make repairs cut his wrist almost in half. The surgeon gave him the necessary medical attention. We stopped in several places in search of drinking water for both the men and the unfortunate horses which were badly in need of exercise. I can see Fecteau, our cook, on top of a high ledge looking in all directions for water. It was rather amusing to see him holding two empty pails, running back toward the train -- toot, toot -- as it moved once more. We had supper, cheese and bread, and still quite contented. For dessert we learned that Col. Mortizambert received a telegram containing the news that Fort Carleton was burned down and we all hoped that it was done purposely by Col. Irvine -- that it was part of a strategic plan to keep the rebellious Indians from taking it and acquiring valuable supplies. Col. Irvine and 260 mounted police burned everything and went on to Prince Albert to protect the numerous dwellings and their inhabitants who were in no position to defend themselves against an attack.
This news caused a lot of excitement among the men, as it brought proof that the soup that the Indians were preparing to serve us would be quite hot. As usual, after supper the cars were thick with smoke and everybody was smoking and telling stories, some ghost stories and what sharpshooters the Indians were. They were said to be much better than the white man and able to hit a bird at 200 yards, always at the same spot and never missing. The drivers tried to imitate Sgt. J. M. Robert's attempts to talk English. "Change sheet today. You speak. Me put you in the garde room, tout de suite." They made everybody laugh so much that tears came out of our eyes. As soon as we lay down to sleep the train stopped, as it was time for supper.
Sergeant I. M. Robert was a fictitious character or soldier of French origin trying to learn
English. Like our own Scotch stories or Confucius sayings of a few years past, it became a
great game to think of some phrase, part English and part French. The possibilities for
laughter were many and the soldiers were taking advantage of these to amuse themselves in
the train. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
Monday. March 30, 1885. At 12:30 AM we had a very nice supper at Bishcotashfine. A young Indian girl was alone, waiting on the tables. Her eyes were very, very beautiful. They were small, alive and fair, as bright as live coals. She was all sweaty from overwork due to the many tables she had to wait on. At 1:15 AM the bugle sounded, calling on men to get back on the train. The drivers started again mocking Sgt. Robert since they were all anxious for a good laugh and to amuse themselves the best way they could. I went to sleep at 2:30 and woke up at 7 o'clock.
Breakfast was served at 10:30 in our seats, consisting of bread, butter, and cheese. At 6:15 PM we left the train and loaded all our belongings, ammunition, cannon, etc. on sleighs to be trans-ported by road for a distance of approximately 25 miles. We got on, eight men to a sleigh. We left at 7:15 PM, all packed and jammed in like sardines. The portage was very difficult and unpleasant. It was very cold and our feet were soon frozen and numb. The snow in the road was not packed down. The mules were sweating, were all out of breath, and were tired. The sleighs tipped on their sides quite often. Every time this happened, the rest of the sleighs were held up, sometimes as much as an hour, which meant that we had to wait in the bitter cold in the middle of the night. The cannons were also tipping over and sank in the snow, as much as four, five, and six feet deep, giving us a lot of hard work to right them again. The traveling was very cold. The drivers tried to outdo each other in the manner in which they swore at the mules. I never heard such cursing in my life. To tell the truth, there was not a man who did not do some wild cursing, just on general principles. We arrived at the station at 6 o'clock in the morning.
Tuesday, March 31, 1885. 6:00 AM. Some of the men ate their breakfast. As for me and several others, we were too tired to eat, and lay down in a small lumber shack that was full of snow. At 7:30 Staff Sergeant Hannan work us. He told us to get our blankets and eat our breakfast. I was the only one who was able to wake up, as we were all dog tired. I decided to wake the others up. We had only ten minutes to get ready. The buglers gave the signal and Captain Peters was calling out the orders to the men at the top of his voice: "Get on! Get on! There! Anywhere!" Confusion on all sides as it was impossible to find our drivers. The first sleighs had only two or three men, while those at the back held as many as 15 to 18, and on we went, with no breakfast. The roads were worse than the night before and the cold was just as intense. The last trip was of approximately twenty miles, all in the woods. We tipped over quite frequently. The mules and horses were all tired out. We had to walk the rest of the way, fifteen to sixteen miles, and arrived at Lumber Camp No. 6.2 At 12:30 PM. we transferred everything from the sleighs to the flat cars. All was confusion as there were not nearly enough cars -- and what cars! Regular cattle cars, for cattle and pigs, open, open to the winds on all sides. However, nobody complained. At 6:00 PM we were still waiting for the cannons which had not yet arrived. The dinner was accepted and eaten without complaints, even though the menus were short. Everything tasted good. Supper was eaten in the same place.
While on this march, one man killed a rabbit and fresh meat was very scarce. My father
had been bragging about his cooking ability and was given the job of preparing a stew as soon
as the column made camp. As soon as it was ready, he gave each man his portion and kept his
share in a large plate.. When he took a good look, he saw a large piece of intestine he had
failed to remove. Of course, this sight ruined his appetite, and he managed to secretly throw
his portion away. He, however, said nothing, and was greatly amused listening to the praises
he received on the delicacy he had prepared. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
Saturday, April 4, 1885. Left on a train of cattle cars at 4:00 in the morning after trying to get warmed up near a large fire. We were frozen even before boarding the train, in open cars on which we had tried to build some kind of enclosure with old window frames measuring ten feet long and two to three feet wide. A blanket was thrown across the opening used as a doorway and was held in place at the bottom by a pile of rifles. It was bitterly cold, especially our feet, which were already wet, and several men were mourning and complaining, while others were cursing and sending everything to the devil. Every time the train would go through a tunnel, some of the men were hoping that the walls and ceiling would cave in and put an end to this torture and excruciating pain. As for myself, my feet were numb and without feeling. I took my boots off and wrapped my feet in a blanket. Too late, as one of my heels was frozen. It bothered me and was quite painful for five days afterwards; all the men were jumping up and down in an effort to get warm. What made me mad was the brakeman, who would tear down the doorway every time he had to come in, and this would let in the cold wind and fine snow, which would cause us to shiver from the cold even more. I consider this night the most terrible one of the whole expedition. Goudreault was close to me and was so cold that he was crying. In a moment of despair around five o'clock in the morning he said, "I wish that my mother had never married! My God! My God! What will become of us?" I tried to comfort him the best I could by telling him to keep up his courage as the sun would soon come out. Sure enough, as soon as it appeared we felt so good that we worshipped and adored it; and I understand why the Indians did the same. Several of the men were really numb with the cold, and the contrast between the sun and the cold was so great that it made the skin of their faces puff up and become bloated to such an extent that it turned one's stomach to look at them. The appeared to have contracted small-pox. Others became temporarily blind. As for me, I got out of it with a bad cold.
We got off the train at 1:00 PM at Fish Bay. We had dinner. Leaving all but our rifles behind, we went on foot over the ice for a distance of twelve miles. The march was very tiresome, as at the time the snow was knee deep. We arrived at Red Rock at 6:30 PM and boarded another train. This time we were quite happy to be in regular passenger cars. All we had to eat was whatever we brought in our knapsacks. We stayed here all night, keeping up the fires so as to stay warm, while awaiting the arrival of our equipment. Everything was all mixed up when it arrived and it took quite a bit of time to separate these things. We stated here until 5:00 PM. We arrived at Port Arthur and the people gave us a nice reception, with brass bands playing and a nice supper waiting for us, etc. We left at 9:30 PM. At Fort Williams another grand reception, with fireworks. Coffee and cake were served in the cars and all the ladies of the locality were in the station to see us. The same thing happened in every small village until we reached Winnipeg. The hardships of the previous day were all but forgotten.
Easter Sunday, April 5, 1885. Arrived at Winnipeg at 5:00PM. I sent telegrams to my Dad and to Azilda (my sweetheart). Had supper. We dirtied a lot of dishes and were waited upon by beautiful girls, but not too much choice on the men. The citizens of this locality were very good to us and gave us beer to drink and tobacco to smoke. At 7:00 PM we boarded the train once more and left for Quapprelle. We arrived April 6, 1885 and were quartered in the buildings usually reserved for immigrants for four days. Battery "A" left us and proceeded to join Gen. Middleton, and we left to reinforce Colonel Otter so as to recapture Battleford.
Saturday, April 11, 1885. Departure by train for Swift Current at 3:00 PM. Went through Regina at 5:00 PM and then through Moosejaw etc. Nice reception everywhere. Arrived on Sunday, April 12, 1885, and stayed here all day.
Monday, April 13, 1885. I was awakened at 5:00 AM and left at 7 o'clock. Mr. Oscar Pelletier got the devil from Major Short for not being ready on time. I managed to escape this tongue lashing. First march across the prairies. We covered a distance of seventeen miles and I was quite tired that night.
While on this march, quite a large number of men came down with diarrhea. When a man
had to drop to the wayside, he was obliged to depend on those next to him to each take a portion
of the equipment and excess clothes he was carrying. He would answer the call of nature and
when he was through, would proceed on the double to take his place once again in the column,
and was then able to help another unfortunate victim. My father said the Indians would have
no difficulty following the trail that day. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
Tuesday, April 14, 1885. Covered fifteen miles on foot. The prairie has the appearance of a large Turkish rug. Not much to eat before leaving. The column included 750 men and about 80 horses. Made up of Mounted Police; Battery "B"; Queen's Own Rifles, Toronto, Gar. General Foot Guards, Ottawa; a part of Company "C" from Toronto, I. S. C.
April 15, 16, 17, 1885. Camped on the band of the Saskatchewan River and crossed to the other side at night on the 16th. Camped on the opposite side that night.
Saturday, April 18, 1885. Left at 12:15 PM for a march of 20 miles. Good food along the way consisting of some hardtack, salt pork, canned beef, dried apples, tea and coffee with sugar. The drinking water was hard and had a peculiar taste.
Sunday, April 19, 1885. Left at 6:00 AM. There was some trouble among the men. Dinner as usual on the prairie.
Monday, April 20, 1885. A march of 30 miles. That night, I was put in charge of guard duty with Mr. O. Pelletier. It was a beautiful night with a full moon.
April 21, 1885. 35 miles.
April 22, 1885. 36 miles.
April 23, 1885. 36 miles. We made camp three miles from Battleford. We could see the fires lighted by the Indians to signal our arrival. That night was a second night of massacre. The Indians set fire to a government shed. The cowboys were sent out in the night to reconnoiter and bring back information, but managed to shoot it out with the Indians and put them to flight.
Friday, April 24, 1885. Battle of Fish Creek. We arrived in Battleford at 9:00 AM on the south side of the river. There was a battle near the house where Judge Joseph Rodier lived. I took notice of the pillage and plunder. It was a crime to see what they had done, and it must have been worse than the uproar raised by unleashed demons, coming from the darkest depths of hell. Everything was looted, sacked and plundered by these idol worshipping savages, all of which brings back to mind the scenes of horror three hundred years ago which our forefathers had to endure.
[Sunday], April 26, 1885. Attended Mass in the fort of Battleford in a building with low ceilings, previously used as a barracks for soldiers. Father Biganesse officiated, with an Indian boy and a young Metis as altar boys. Spent the rest of the day in a tent. On guard duty that night with my friends Lt. Oscar Pelletier and Corporal Ed. Gedreau.
April 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 and Friday, May 1, 1885. Camped on a knoll near River Bataille. At 2:30 PM we left in wagons and covered a distance of 35 miles. Had supper on the way and did guard duty until 11:40 PM, when we got on the move again by moonlight
Saturday, May 2, 1885. Unforgettable day. We passed an old Indian camp and came upon Cut Knife Creek only a short distance away, at four in the morning. We could see cows feeding on the high grounds. We reached the high ground and immediately heard the shots from the exchange of fire between our scouts and the Indians. We formed ranks and advanced with caution as two of our men had already been killed. The attack began at 4:30 AM.
List of the different units taking part in this battle
numbering 240 officers and men and commanded
by Lt. Col. W. B. Otter, "C" Co., I. S. C.
Scouts under Charles Ross
Mounted Police under Col. Herchmer
"B" Company under Maj. C. J. Short3
"C" Company, I.S.C.,, under Lt. Madmore
Ottawa Foot Guards under Lt. Ray
Queen's Riflemen under Capt. Brown
Battleford Rifles under Capt. Nash
About 50 teams with provisions and supplies
As soon as the Indians saw us they opened fire; we formed ranks and advanced in their direction. They charged the cannons with fury and were repulsed in short order. Everybody was loading and firing as fast as he could, and it turned out to be like a loud turmoil from hell. The rotted gun carriages were breaking with every shot and still the gunners were doing their duty. The Gatling machine gun turned out to be a godsend to us, as it forced them to keep their distance. Their next maneuver was to try to surprise us from the rear, but the cannons prevented them from doing this, and the scouts were sent out to intercept them and cut their supply line. It turned out to be quite easy to outmaneuver them. The shooting was so terrible that I was quite surprised to see that we were not losing more men. Once when we charged them from the high ground when they were holed up in the valley, their fire was so intense that bullets would whistle all around us and four or five men were hit. Major Short sent me to the right with a portion of the Division to try to stop the Indians from shooting down the gunners and here I stayed until the battle was over. I can say that this was no picnic. We were flat on the ground and every so often we could see one or two men stopping a bullet and ready for the ambulance. We were forced to fight Indian style like regular guerrillas. I kept thinking that there was nothing in the world more foolish and stupid than seeing myself sighting my gun towards an unfortunate Indian whom I did not know, and then seeing him do the same to me but a hundred times more effectively.
Oh, but these rascals really know how to fight and they are terrific warriors. There were about 200 yards between us. Col. Otter, seeing that the Crees had been reinforced and that we were needlessly losing men, decided to retreat to Battleford, as the wounded were without water and were badly in need of medical attention. We kept on fighting as we retreated in orderly fashion. We kept fighting as we retreated and they would follow, still keeping at a safe distance. As soon as we re-crossed Cut Knife Creek, we were out of danger and I can say that I was very happy to see my friends safe and sound and everybody shaking hands with each other after eight hours of battle, the same as it would have been after eight years of not seeing each other. It was noon. We marched for a certain length of time and stopped to eat a few biscuits. We continued to march and arrived at Battleford at 11:00 PM, very tired and almost dead from exhaustion. We had a very plain supper and it was one o'clock Sunday morning before everything was over with.
List of the Dead
Pvt. A. Dobbs, Battleford Rifles
Bgde. Bugl. Folkes, I.S.C.
Cpl. Lowry, Mounted Police, died on the way to Battleford
Cpl. R.B. Sleigh, Mounted Police
Pvt. Pat Burk, Mounted Police, died on Sunday
Pvt. John Rogers, Ottawa Foot Guard
Pvt. Osgood, Ottawa Foot Guard, left behind in the woods
Pvt. Charlie Winder, Regina
List of the Wounded
Lt. Oscar Pelletier, Battery "B", my best friend, wounded in the leg
Sgt. Gaffney, Battery "B"
Cpl. Morton, Battery "B"
George Reynolds, Battery "B"
Sgt. Winters, Ottawa Foot Guard
Sgt,. Wards, Mounted Police
Col. Cooper, Queen's Own Rifles
Pvt. Lloyd, Queen's Own Rifles
Pvt. Wads, Queen's Own Rifles
Pvt. C. Verrie, Queen's Own Rifles
Pvt. McQuilkin, Ottawa Foot Guards
Bugler E. Gilberg, Battleford Riflemen
S. M. Spakman, "C" Company, I.S.C.
Burial took place in a cemetery near the Catholic Church south of the Saskatchewan River in Battleford. The bodies were laid at rest near the graves of Smart and Barney with the presence of the entire military forces and the civilians of this locality. The band was at the head of the procession and the heroes were buried with full military honors and with the religious services of their respective churches.
It is reported that this campaign was the first in which Gatling machine guns were used.
These guns were water cooled, and it was only a matter of time before the Metis and Indians
learned to bide their time until a column of steam appeared and it became an easy matter for
them to shoot down the gunners once the position of the gun was revealed. Gatling is the
origin of the English word "Gatt" meaning revolver or gun. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
Tuesday, May 5, 1885. Very tired.
Wednesday, May 6, 1885. Moved my quarters near the public building.
Thursday May 7. Parade with full military regalia. We crossed the River Bataille and camped at Battleford at 7:00 PM. Forty-five non-com officers and soldiers to form part of the parade. Nobody wanted to go on guard duty.
May 9, 10, 11, 12, 1885. Battle and capture of Batoiche, capital of the Metis. Riel was captured on May 16 by General F. Middleton with the assurance that he would be allowed full protection.
Sunday, May 10, 1885. Attended High Mass for the first time at the church at Battleford. At six in the evening, special prayers for the month of May conducted by Rev. Biganosse
Monday, May 11. Battle Drill.
Tuesday, May 12. Felt tired and stayed at the Fort.
Wednesday, May 12 (sic). Went to confession.
Thursday, May 13. Ascension Day. Holy Day of Obligation. Skirmish drill. Special prayers at night. On guard duty at night.
May 14 and 15. Cold rain. Uncomfortable weather.
May 16, 1885. Riel captured.
May 17, Sunday. Constable Elliott's funeral. On guard duty at night. Very cool night.
May 18. Good clear day. Had a chance to rest.
Tuesday, May 19. Very tired. Return of the prisoners taken by Pound Maker. On guard duty. Very dark and warm night,
May 20, 21. Relaxed and rested. Return of the Scouts.
Friday, May 22. Drill
Saturday, May 23. Tired.
Sunday, May 24. Queen Victoria's birthday. Arrival of General F. Middleton and Battery "A". We had lots of news to tell each other.
Monday, May 25, 1885. Big parade of the entire military garrison to celebrate the anniversary. A salute of 21 guns was fired and three cheers or hurrahs were given in honor of Her Majesty, the Queen. General Middleton was surrounded by the entire garrison, and the whole affair was quite
Wednesday, May 27, 1885. The Indian named Little Pine came to Battleford to swear that he had not taken part in the rebellion.
Thursday, May 28, 1885. Arrival of the rest of the General's troops. They were welcomed by everybody. The Indian named Pound Maker was interviewed and given a chance to tell what he had to say in the guard room. Concert in the evening in the Government Building by the 20th Rifles.
May 29, 1885. Mooseman declared himself to be a friend of the white man.
May 30, 1885. Other Indian Chiefs followed suit. They were afraid to come near our camp.
List of Prisoners taken on May 19, 1885:
Pound Maker, Chief of the Cree Indians
John Brenner, Metis or half breed
Baptiste Sayer, Metis
William Frank, Metis
Moses Sayer, Metis
Henry Sayer, Metis
Denis Falcon, Metis
Shawachoose Indian (brother to Pound Maker)
Poor Man, Indian
Break the Ice, Indian
Crooked Leg, Indian
Wa Wan Itch, Indian
Fred Armstrong, Indian
Basil Favie, Indian
Eli Francis, Indian
Big as the Sun, Indian
Joseph Eno,5 Indian
William Favoie, Indian
Little Man Who Is Not Tall, etc. etc.
Sunday, May 31, 1885. The General and 1,000 men (45 from Battery "B") left to reinforce General Strange in order to capture Big Bear. They left at 7:00 AM. The men from the 20th Rifles were so disappointed and jealous that they did not come out of their tents to cheer these men as they were leaving. Rain.
June 7, 1885. Funeral of the unfortunate Osgood, Ottawa Foot Guards, who was brought back to Battleford, one month and five days after the Battle of Cut Knife Creek. Osgood had apparently been found by the Indian women who took advantage of his body to wreak their vengeance upon the white men. The Reverend Cauchin, missionary amongst the Crees, who was also taken prisoner, buried him after having picked up, as best he could, in a small box, dismembered parts of the body and bones scattered in all directions, the day after the battle of Cut Knife Creek, May 3, 1885.
Monday, June 8, 1885. Departure of Coil. Otter with the Queen's Own, one cannon from "Battery "B" and several gunners (total 200 men) to stop Big Bear at Lake LaLune (Moon) north of Battleford.
June 9, 1885. The location of our camp was changed by order of Mr. Imlah.
June 19, 1885. Riot or disturbance in the City around 11:00 PM. The soldiers were called out to restore order, but there were not enough of us to handle the situation.
June 21, 1885. Took part in a church procession.
Thursday, June 31, 1885. Arrival of the two Batteries, "A" and "B", and Company "C", I.S.C.
July 1, 1885. Changed the location of our camp once again. There was a lot of trouble in the City. Arrival of the Queen's Own Rifles from Dorelk Lake.
July 5, 1885. Arrival of General Middleton with the 65th, 90th, and Midland Battalions. They left the same night. General Malin was accidentally killed by Murphy while on guard duty at 6:20 PM.
Monday, July 6, 1885. We were awakened at 4:00 AM to attend the funeral of General Malin at 5:)) AM. Had breakfast at 6:00 AM and left for Prince Albert at 9 o'clock. Stayed in Battleford for a period of two months and eight days.
June (sic) 7, 1885. Camped at Eagles Hills. The trip is being made in wagons and is very pleasant.
June (sic) 9, 1885. Passed through and visited what used to be Fort Carlton which we were told was burned as a strategic military tactic.
Saturday, June (sic) 10, 1885, . Arrived in Prince Albert at noon and camped near the convent of the Sisters of Charity. We traveled 165 miles in four days.
August 17, 1885. Riel was turned over to the Superior Court to be tried6. Big Bear was condemned to three years and Pound Maker to six years of hard labor, respectively.
Riel's fate was practically sealed even before the trial began. It has been pointed out that the
resentment between the English and the French was very high due to the length of time the
control of the region in the present province of Manitoba was in dispute, and also the
execution order of Riel of Thomas Scott in 1870. The jury was all English and Riel was of
French descent. He was the man who would be apt to cause further trouble to the English-
speaking population, if released, and was called a traitor to his country.
The defense brought out the fact that he had been committed to an insane asylum and that he
had been promised full protection at the time of his surrender, but to no avail. It is a
historical fact that, had he been pardoned, he would have been lynched before he could reach
his friends in the Red River Valley. He is today considered a patriot by some of the
inhabitants of the region. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
August 26, 1885. Large prairie fire around Prince Albert.
August 27, 1885. Sermon in the language of the Cree Indians by Father Lecog.
September 1, 1885. Exhibition fair in Prince Albert.
September 28, 1885. Death of my dear father, Hercule Savignac, at 6:50 AM.
October 12, 1885. "B" Battery left Prince Albert at 5:30 PM. The Staff Sergeants were left behind as there were no room in the wagons. The four of us left the following day at 11:00 AM with the rest of the baggage. We were glad to be on our way once again after three months.
Wednesday, October 14, 1885. Arrived at Batoche. We had to build a wall at the foot of the hill, a task which proved rather difficult.
Thursday, October 15, 1885. Crossed the river at a place where the current was swift. We had a good lighter or barge, but it took us all day to do so. I was quite tired that might.
Friday, October 16, 1885. Departure from Batoche after having visited the positions of our troops and those of the rebels, with Mr. Courmier, Me. Lavie, Lt. Milan and the Doctor. Camped that night on the shores of Lake Vermillon.
Saturday, October 17, 1885. Arrived in Humbolt at 5:20 PM. Camped near the Humbolt House where Mr. Cuthbert, Officer of the Mounted Police, slept.
Sunday, October 18, 1885. Departure from Humbolt at 7:00 AM. Nice weather all day.
October 19, 1885. Passed the Indian Reservation.
October 20, 1885. Arrived at Fort QuAppelle in the valley. Stopped for one hour where several of the men bought some liquor, and while we were having dinner of the knoll of the hill, these men had a fight with the Metis drivers from Batoche. Arrived at QuAppelle village at 6:00 PM and slept in the Immigrants Building. We traveled 300 miles in ten days.
Sunday, October 25, 1885. Attended Mass which was celebrated by Rev. Father Lebray in the Immigrants Building. Arrival of Major Short and Capt. Fages with thirty men to replace the married men, who had completed their enlisted time, Colonel Montizambert and Lt. Imlah.
November 1, 1885. All Saints Day. Received the sad news that my father had died on Sept. 28. It was hard for me to believe that this news was true, and it took two days before I could pull myself together after the grievous loss. The replacement men departed.
November 14, 1885. Received another letter from my sister Hermine giving me more details of the death of my dear father. He suffered a great deal before he passed away.
November 16, 1885. Riel was hanged in Regina. The French Canadian people showed a great deal of sympathy for his cause. There was trouble and unfavorable demonstrations in Quebec, Montreal, and the entire Province of Quebec.
December 25, 1885. Christmas Day and my birthday. I was twenty-four years old. A nice dinner and free beer for everyone to celebrate the occasion.
Gifts from home were received on this Christmas Day. I recall my father telling us that he
received amongst other things a jar of homemade jam made with field or wild strawberries.
He took a spoon and gave each man a taste. Of course, he received many compliments on how
good it tasted. One of the men received as a gift a piece of beef dried and salted, or the same
as the men had been eating day in and day out. What this man said about his relatives was not
very complimentary. (Dr. Eugene Savignac)
January 1, 1886. New Year's Day. Nice dinner. Chicken, puddings and the rest of the beer barrel to drink. Went on a horse and buggy ride through the woods with Kerly, Lahat, and Merton and Wallick. The temperature was very cold.
January 5, 1886. The Dramatic Club of the garrison put on their first play entitled "BB". It was a success.
March 2, 1886. The second play was put on by the "Dramatics Club". It was a drama in two acts entitled "Deaf as a Post" and also a minstrel show. It was a big success. I was the secretary of the club.
March 17, 1886. St. Patrick's Day. Third and last play by the Club. It was a drama with minstrels etc. This one was a flop. I was reprimanded by Major Short.
Tuesday, April 6, 1886. Departure of several soldiers as follows: 31 men from Battery "A" and 11 men from Battery "B"or 42 men altogether for Quebec with their discharge papers.
Wednesday, April 7, 1886. One of our gunners named Shaw died in the hospital located in our building at 8:45 PM. He had been sick of consumption for a good part of the winter. R.I.P.
April 16, 1886. I was sent out with a posse from QuAppelle to Woolsley to arrest Driver Burns who had escaped during the night while a prisoner in the jail.
Thursday, May 20, 1886. Well contested football game between the civilians of QuAppelle and Battery "B" with Walack as captain.
Saturday, May 22, 1886. Decorated the stable with slips and boughs from the trees.
May 24, 1886. Birthday of Queen Victoria; at 10:00 AM medals were presented by Lt. G. V. Dewdeney after a military gun salute and also a royal salute. In the afternoon we participated in various military sport games. Sgt. John Scott, Battery "A", stayed with us all day, and missed his train that night. He was on his way to Winnipeg with his discharge.
July 13, 1886, Saturday. Departure from QuAppelle at 3:00 PM of Batteries "A" and "B". The farewell address was given by Mr. Redpath and was acknowledged with thanks by Major Short. We felt very proud of ourselves and were happy to be leaving the Northwest Territory to return to our families after an absence of seventeen and a half months.
July 14, 1886. I woke up in Portage la Prairie. I was in the parlor cars with the other officers. Arrived in Winnipeg at 9 A.M. and left at 11. The breakfast here was not very good. Several men got drunk. Sgt. Labat and I, Staff Sgt., were strongly reprimanded by Major Kerley for allowing the men to get in this condition. He used some strong and brutal language, but apologized later. Arrived at "Portage au Rat" (Rat Portage) at 7 P.M. and were served supper.
July 15, 1886. Had breakfast at Ignace Station at 7 A.M. and left at 7:35. Passed Fort Williams at noon and Port Arthur on Lake Superior at 3:25 P.M. where we were served a nice dinner. Left at 4:20.
July 16, 1886, Friday. Had breakfast at 3:45 A.M. in Scheribes. We were now 774 miles from Montreal. Had dinner at 11:30 in White Pine. Had supper at 10 P.M. in Chapleau. This village, with a population of 600, had been founded only since Spring.
July 17, 1886, Saturday. 7 A.M. in Sudbury or 444 miles from Montreal. We had breakfast on the train, bread and butter. Same thing for dinner. Passed Sturgeon River at 7 A.M., Mattawa at 1:20 P.M. and the whole length of Lake Nipissing between 8 and 11 A.M. Had supper at 6 P.M. at Chalk River. Went through Pembroke at 7 P.M. and had a good look at "Isle ou Ollumettes" (Island of the Matches). Arrived in Renfrew at 8:30 P.M. Here Battery "A" and Battery "B" separated. Battery "A" left for Kingston and Battery "B" for Quebec. Passed Sand Point at 9:30 P.M.
July 18, 1886, Sunday. Passed through Ottawa at 3 A.M. without stopping. Had breakfast at St. Martin at 7 o'clock. Left at 8:30. Passed through Berthier, my home town, at 10 A.M., at the time when High Mass was being celebrated. Through Three Rivers at 10:50 A.M. and arrived in Quebec at 3 P.M. Good reception at the station. At night, I visited my sweetheart, Miss Azilda Pajeau.
July 19, 1886, Monday. Big dinner in the Citadel of Quebec.
July 21, 1886, Wednesday. Big celebration on the occasion of the appointment of Archbishop Tachereau to the rank of Cardinal. It was the most beautiful ceremony I ever saw. I left for Berthier at 10 P.M. The train was very crowded.
July 22, 1886, Thursday. Arrived in Berthier and my house for an eighteen day furlough. I was very happy and proud to see my relastives and friends after an absence of this nature. I had a lot of interesting experiences to tell them. I felt sad, however, to find my home so empty. My dear father had been dead since September 27, 1885, and my sister Hermine had been married in February, 1886, and wasalso gone from home. All this impressed me so much I could not hold back the tears, and I had to cry to releave my feelings.
July 29, 1886, Tuesday. Went to St. Hubert in a buggy to pick blueberries with my brother Paul, my two sisters (Marie and Merance) and some of my cousins. We went a distance of more than ten miles, enjoyed ourselves and brought back a large quantity of blueberries. I had a very nice time during my vacation. I spent my time visiting my relatives and friends, helping to take in the hay, etc., etc.
August 7, 1886, Saturday. End of my furlough and return to the Citadel of Quebec.
August 8, 1886, Sunday. I went to see my sweetheart, Azilda P(ageau).
August 12, 1888, Thursday. I crossed to the Isle d'Orleans, and returned to my quarters at 10 P.M. How short happy days can be! I intend to say something very important to Azilda the coming Sunday.
August 13 & 14, 1886. The band from battery "B" played their best selections at the concerts given on those two days. Went for a long walk on those two nights.
August 15, 1886, Sunday. Trip to the Isle d'Orleans. I crossed over at 2:30 P.M. and had dinner and supper at the home of Mr. Pageau. I went to church at the other end of the island and prayed to Saint Philomene to give me the courage to declare quickly my love to my dear Azilda and asked God to bless my intentions. I was able to do so as I walked back from the church with her. We purposely went out of our way to prolong this happy moment. We crossed a narrow brook and came into a grove of beautiful pine trees.
It happened in the shade of the trees with a fresh breeze whistling through and undser the eyes of God Almighty. It was at the foot of the hill that I opened my heart, overflowing with love for her. Oh, how wonderful and lovable she proved to be as she was walking next to me, and as she told me how happy she was to become my beloved fiancee! The day was one of the happiest in my life. Played croquet with her family that night and left at 10 P.M. on the last boat.
August 17, 1886, Tuesday. Crossed to the Isle and spent the evening with Azilda.
August 19, 1886. Court martial of Sergeant Jordan.
August 22, 1886, Sunday. Played croquet on the Isle d'Orleans with the family of my fiancee.
August 26, 1886. Slept on the Isle for the last time.
August 19, 1886, Sunday. Received Holy Communion on the day of my jubilee. Left at 7:30 A.M. in a wagon to go on a pilgrimage to Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupere. (Pilgrimage which I had promised to St. Anne during the campaign in the Northwest. I had promised to bring a candle and light it at the altar.) I arrived in Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupere at 10:40 A.M. We faced the wind all the way and it was quite cold, but had a very nice time all day. At noon we visited the two churches and had dinner at Hotel Bouchard. We had a lot of fun. We went to a small store and bought some religious articles. Left at 3 P.M. and arrived home at 7:30 P.M. The trip was as nice as it could be and very pleasant. We laughed all the way back, and Mrs. Pageau and her daughters were all very pleased with the nice pilgrimage.
September 1, 1886. Visited my fiancee Azilda Pageau.
September 4, 1886, Saturday. The band from the French frigate "Minerve" gave a concert on the terrace.
September 5, 1886, Sunday. Went to Mass on board the "Minerve". All the sergeants from Battery "B" had been invited by the officers of the frigate. I attended Mass with Miss Azilda and afterwards the sergeants and officers of the frigate had breakfast, dinner, and supper on board. We drank several toasts as they were given. We sang quite a few songs and celebrated a little too heavily as the French wine was very good. We left at 7:00 P.M. to go back to the Citadel and I went to bed immediately. I was sick during the night.
September 6, 1886, Monday. Spent the eveniong with Azilda.
September 9, 1886, Thursday. Made preparations to return the invitation given to us by the French officers. I was Chairman of the Committee.
September 10, 1886, Friday. Supper was given to the officers of the "Minerve". We all had a lot of fun and the party broke up at 2 A.M.
September 16, 1886, Thursday. Left for Montreal. I was sent as an instructor to give a short special course in ordnance to the officers and men manning the garrison's artillery. I promised to Azilda to come back soon. The parting was rather emotional.
September 17, 1886, Friday. Arrived in Montreal. I rented a room in the home of Mrs. Dupont, reported to the Col. R. W. Oswald, and visited my aunts, uncles, Joseph, Alphonse, Ernest etc. Went on a routine training march that night.
September 24, 1884, Thursday. Left Montreal on board the boat "Berthier" to attend the anniversary funeral services of my dear Father, which were held the following day. The trip was pleasant, but I could not help feeling sad when I stopped to think of the sad memory of September 28, 1885.
September 27, 1886. Monday. Returned to Montreal.
November 13, 1886. Took board and room in the home of Mr. Louis DesRosiers.
November 4, 1886. Expiration of my second enlistment turn in the Canadian Artillery.
November 8, 1886. Received Holy Communion.
November 19, 1886. Had supper with Uncle Ernest DesRosiers.
December 2, 1886. Relieved of my assignment as instructor in Montreal and told to return to Quebec. I was replaced by the Sergeant Major A. Lyndon of Battery "B" to complete the special course to the garrison's artillery in Montreal. I was so furious that I immediately left for Quebec, and asked for my discharge papers. Inspection of the men who had trained took place on December 8, only six days later, by Lt. Col. Montygambert of Quebec.
December 3, 1886. I had an interview with Col. Montygambert and I told him of my wishes to be discharged from the Army, as I believed that I had been relieved of my command without cause -- as I could not see where I had failed in my duties. I felt certain that the Sergeant Major had pulled the necessary strings to obtain the assignment so that he could take all the glory at the end of the course. I did not want to give him the chance to get the best of me again. The Colonel answered that my decision was rather hasty, and advised me to give it a second thought, to sleep on it overnight, and come back the next day. He kept me in his office until 8 P.M.
December 6, 1886. Obtained my discharge. Took the train to Montreal one hour later. Now that I was separated from Battery "B" Royal Canadian Army, it goes without sayiong that I was leaving behind many friends who all approved of my action, among them Captains Fages, Pelletier, all the sergeants and many others. I had stayed in the Army more than six years and came out a Staff Sergeant. I was well thought of and respected, had acquired a fair education, and decided to study medicine and become a doctor.
December 8, 1886. Started my course in medicine once again and studied very hard.
December 24, 1886. Started my Christmas vacation.
December 30, 1886. Took a trip to Berthier, my home town.
January 4, 1887. Returned to Montreal.
February 13, 1887. Federal elections. Conservative Party in power.
February 6-13, 1887. Carnival.. Maria Caisse and Miss Dufresne were visiting Montreal. Had a nice enjoyable time with them.
February 7, 1887. Maria Caisse arrived for a visit to Montreal.
February 9, 1887. I came down sich with cerebral congestion caused by the cold weather when I left school not sufficiently dressed. My whole body, particularly my head, felt very cold, and I was sick for four days. This was my second attack; and the first one took place on January 20.
March 21, 1887. Maria Caisse returned to her home.
March 24, 1887. End of the course in medicine in the Victoria University E.M.&C.M.
March 28, 1887. Final examinations. I did not take them on account of the new law or ruling on the diploma.
April 8, 1887. Last five dollars.
April 17, 1887. Went to my home in Berthier.
April 20, 1887. Went to a sugaring party in St. Norbert with my cousins Savignac, Emma, and my two sisters. The roads were very bad, but we had a lot of fun regardless.
April 21, 1887. Returned from the sugaring party. The roads were terrible and the carriage broke down twice. We had to walk almost the whole distance.
April 23, 1887. Visited my uncle, Leon Levesque, where I had a chance to see the whole village under flood waters. As I was living, the water was beginning to come into the house.
April 24, 1887, Sunday. Had a hard time getting to church to attend Mass. Visited my sister Hermine. She has a nice, healthy baby, four months old, named Arthur Brissette. The flood waters were higher than ever on my way back home.
April 25, 1887, Monday. Returnewd to Montreal loaded down with maple sugar, syrup, and cream spread.
May 6, 1887, Friday. Started working for the Reford Company, who operate a transoceanic steamship line, for $9.00 per week.
June 18, 1887, Friday. Excursion to Quebec on the steamship "Canada".
June 19, 1887. Spent the day with Azilda. Very happy to see each other again. I returned to Montreal the same night.
September 9, 1887. Received a telegram from Aglare Remilland, my cousin who was visiting in Berthier. She wanted to see me at my brother's house.
September 10, 1887. Took the train for hiome at 3 P.M. My cousin, my sisters, and Emma Savignac met me at the station.
September 11, 1887, Sunday. Picnic at the pine grove at the end of our land, in the afternoon. There were eighteen of us, all related, and we had a good time. Left at 8 P.M.
September 12, 1887, Monday. Met Aglace in Mr. Routhier's house and spent the evening with her.
September 20, 1887. Arrival of George Pageau to stay in Montreal for good.
September 21, 1887. Left for Quebec to take my college entrance examination for the study of medicine.
September 23-24, 1887. Examinations.
September 25, 1887. Received the news that I did not pass the examinations.
October 1, 1887. I applied for a position as a veterinary surgeon with Dr. Beausoleil.
October 2, 1887, Sunday. Received Holy Communion. My brother Paul and Alias Savignac came to Montreal for a visit.
October 3, 1887. Opening of the courses. Opening address given by Dr. Kingston, "Veterinary Surgeons". Mr. Beauchamp, Mr. Durocher, president, Mr. Beadry, and Mr. Beausoleil.
October 18, 1887. Feast of St. Luke. The Medical students went to Mass at Longueuil in a body. Had lots of fun on the way back.
October 24, 1887. The police were called to break up a student disturbance when we came out of the Theatre Francais, after seeing a play entitled "Le Grand Mayen" (The Last Resort).
November 14, 1887. Miss Olivine St. Cyr and I were godparents at the christening of a baby named Arthur Marie Joseph Olivier Pageau, son of Mr. And Mrs. George Pageau. The ceremony took place at St. Brigite Church.
November 23, 1887, Wednesday. Death of our beloved professor in physiology and pathology, Dr. G. O. Beaudry. School was closed for three days.
December 24, 1887, Saturday. Start of a fifteen-day vacation period. Left for Berthier for a well-earned rest at 5 P.M., accompanied by the three sisters, the Misses Byrns. Became very friendly with Adeline. Went to midnight Mass in Berthier and terminated a retreat started in Montreal.
December 25, 1887. My 26th birthday. I was born on December 25, 1861. Spent the evening in my old home where a group of people were assembled. Played different card games. Miss Adeline Byrns was there and I became very fond of her.
December 26, 1887, Monday. Football game on the ice on the farm owned by Mr. Charles Savignac. The Misses Byrns left at 5:30 P.M. and I accompanied them to the station.
December 30, 1887, Friday. Wrote to uncle J. B. Remillard, Aglaie Ed. Prudhomme, Aunt Mondor, Azilda and Adeline and sent them New Year's cards.
December 30, 1887. Received a beautiful New Year's card from Adeline Byrns, and Alias received his joke (New Year's) the same day. (A batch of kittens, very appropriate for him.)
January 1, 1888, New Year's Day. Bad weather, terrible snowstorm. Went to Mass with my brother Paul and spent the evening in the house with Mr. Charles Savignac, where we played cards. Visited my sister Hermine and her husband, Louis Brissette, the following afternoon.
January 6, 1888. Feast of the Kings and my sister Marie's birthday. Went by horse and sleigh to visit uncle Leon Levesque. We tipped over on the way. It was cold all day. Spent the evening at my sister's home.
January 8, 1888. Had dinner at the home of My. Charles Louiseville and with Mr. and Miss Labene. She was very spoiled and outspoken. Left at night to return to Montreal on the train. The cars were very crowded.
January 9, 1888, Monday. Reopening of the courses in medicine at the University of Victoria. I am in my second year of study in medicine of the human body, without giving up my veterinary surgeon course.
January 14, 1888. Aunt Joseph Desrosiers became quite sick as a result of a miscarriage.
January 15, 1888, Sunday. Visited the three sisters Byrns and delivered a hand-painted card made by Emma Savignac.
February 4, 1888, Saturday. Sent my dismembered skeleton to my cousin Alias Savignac in Berthier.# Big banquet in the Richelieu Hotel by the students of the University Victoria.
#. The cousin, Alias Savignac, received instructions on what to do with the skeleton until
my father had time to mount it. It was the custom in those days for a Doctor to have a
mounted skeleton in his office. The skeleton was obtained while the doctor was studying
medicine. As no preservatives were used in those days, it was necessary to work fast when
a body was being dissected. Therefore, a group of students was assigned to each part of the
body, and when only the skeleton was left, lots were drawn to see who was the winner. It
was agreed that the winner would drop out at the next drawing. (Dr. Eugene Savignac's
note.)
March 1, 1888. Paid $128.00 for my first and second year's tuition.
March 9, 1888. Took my examinations in Animal Pathology.
March 22, 1888. Oral examinations in hygiene, botany, histology amd materia medica for veterinary surgeons.
March 23, 1888, Friday. Took the written examinations on the other primary subjects. In the forenoon, physiology and anatomy and, in the afternoon, chemistry and medical science. I made out fairly well, except in chemistry, in which subject I did not answer the questions as well as in the others.
March 31, 1888. Left Montreal for a visit to Berthier.
April 5, 1888. Returned to Montreal with Mrs. Dalphyse Savignac and my cousin, Emma. My grandmother is paralyzed in her left side. She is 89 years old and is very much changed lately. I wish to work fifteen days in the office of veterinary surgeon O'Bruneau (sic) before going to Compton to practice.
May 24, 1888. (26 years old). Left Montreal to open an office in Compton. I met my friend, Beron, in Sherbrook, and he came with me to introduce my to head citizens of the place as a veterinary surgeon graduated from the medical school of Montreal. Took board and room at the Todd Hotel at $12.00 pere month. The food was good.
June 1, 1888. Had a good practice and lots of work, but not much money.
June 28, 1888, Thursday. Left Compton for a visit to Berthier, to see my Grandmother who is fading away rapidly.
June 29, 1888, Friday. Feast of St. Peter. Arrived in Berthier at 11 A.M. I had the opportunity to see all my relatives and friends, in good health, except my Grandmother Savignac who hardly recognized me. The Misses Mary and Adeline Byrns arrived that night on the boat to Berthier and I spend the evening with them in the home of Mr. Charles Savignac.
June 30, 1888, Saturday. My brother Paul and my cousin Emile helped me to get my skeleton ready for mounting.# I boiled it too long and spoiled it, as it was overcooked. I visited my sister Hermine (Mrs. L. Brissette) that night; coming back I stopped and played ball with the Misses Byrns.
# The instructions to the cousin were to preserve the bones in a strong brine solution.
The cousin obtained a wooden barrel with a cover, hid it in the corner of the barn, and
followed instructions. One day his father noticed the barrel and out of curiosity
raised the cover. As luck would have it, the skull was floating face up and looking
straight at him. He was scared out of his wits and told his son to get rid of the whole
thing. The cousin was able to explain and calm his father down. He wrote to my father
to come over as soon as he could, as he did not think he would be able to keep the
skeleton very long. (Dr. Eugene Savignac's note)
July 1, 1888, Sunday. Went to mass at the church in Berthier with Miss Adeline Byrns. In the afternoon we took a buggy ride and I showed her the most beautiful spots and places in Berthier. At night, after supper, we brought Alcide Savignac to St. Cuthbert and returned on the 8 P.M. train. Had a wonderful time all evening.
July 2, 1888, Monday. Went picnicking, picking wild strawberries at the end of our farm. There were eight of us, and we afterwards stopped in the pine grove (Point of Pines). The day was one of the most wonderful of my life as I had the company of Adeline Byrns all day. We came back from the grove very happy and delighted at our party and left Berthier that same night at 6:30. As soon as I arrived in Montreal, I bought $9.50 worth of medicine in Mr. Pageau's store. I stopped to see Mrs. Pageau and went to see my Aunt DesRosiers. The door was closed as there was nobody home, and then I went to the Grand Trunk Station. I arrived in Compton the following morning at 5 o'clock, tired -- but very happy over my trip.
July 3, 1888. I had a case of a fracture of the radius at the farm of Mr. R. Carse.
September 10, 1888, Tuesday. Went on a picnic with a group of young people at Lake Magog. The party was a failure due to the reserved behavior of the ladies.
September 25, 1888. Returned from Compton to Montreal to continue my studies in medicine which were due to start on the first day of October. I left Compton owing a debt of $5.00 on my board. Several persons owed me money and wanted to pay me in potatoes or other farm products. I had only $12.00 on me. I went to see Mr. Warburton, head checker of the Donaldson Line, and worked for three weeks at $1.50 per day, the same as last year. I took board and room with Mrs. Dupont (widow) for five weeks and afterwards opened an office as Veterinary Surgeon on November 3, 1888, at No. 895 Rue St.-Dominique.
September 30, 1888. Visited Mr. George Pageau and met his two sisters. Azilda and Virginia still just as pretty as ever, and under the same conditions as before, just as if nothing had changed between us.
October 1, 1888. The Misses Pageau left for Quebec.
October, 1888 [No Date]. Death of John Byrns, beloved brother of Miss Adeline. It was I who had the painful duty of closing his eyes for the last time, and then had to take care of all the details of the burial. The funeral was very sad and it grieved me to see the tears in the eyes of the entire family. The father, Mr. P. Byrns, was absent and the telegrams could not reach him. The family had to postpone the funeral services one whole day, to await his arrival. Mr. John Byrns was only twenty-three years old, and died of capillary bronchitis. It was raining very hard when we went to the cemetery. We looked at him for the last time hefore he was lowered into the grave. The decomposition of the body had already begun. We came back feeling sad, and grieved at leaving behind us such a wonderful and fine young man.
October 22, 1888. I started the course in human medicine. I am in my third year of college, and I was officially notified by Dr. Leblanc that I had passed my examinations in chemistry. I was very happy at this news.
November 4, 1888. Had a lovers' quarrel with Adeline Byrns. She told me that I was at liberty to go and court another girl as she was all through with me.
November 6, 1888. Wrote her a letter of apology.
November 13, 1888, Tuesday. She answered my letter, telling me she didn't know what I was talking about.
November 18, 1888. I went over to see Miss Adeline Byrns and had a chance to explain my actions and tell her that the whole thing was my fault. I realized once more in my life that I had put my foot in it. When I left, we made up, and after everything was brought to light and explained to one another, we loved each other more than ever before.
Received $50.00 from my brother Paul, on account. He owed me $100.00.
November 29, 1888. Passed all the final examinations in the study of Veterinary Surgery.
December 22, 1888, Saturday. Left Montreal for Berthier to pass my Christmas vacation at home.
December 25, 1888. My 27th birthday.
January 2, 1889. Big party at the home of the widow, P. Savignac.
January 7, 1889. Returned to Montreal to continue my studies in the third year of my medical course.
January 13, 1889, Sunday. Spent the day with Adeline Byrns.
March 11, 1889. Retreat, preached by Rev. Strout, Redemptorist in the village of St.-Jean-Baptiste.
March 15, 1889. Performed my Easter duties.
March 28, 1889. Passed my final examinations in Veterinary Medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine in Montreal. I graduated and received my diploma or degree. Left Montreal that same night to go and practice my profession of Veterinary Surgeon in Berthier, my home town.
May 18, 1889. Death of my grandmother Savignac (nee Josette Paquin) at 5 P.M., 91 years old. She saw her fifth generation.
June 29, 1889, Saturday. Arrival on the evening boat of Miss Ann and Miss Adeline Byrnes. They stayed at the house of Mr. Charles Savignac for three days. Sunday, the following day, took them on a horse and buggy ride. On Monday we went on a picnic at the Point of Pines, and then went out with them every night with them to church and for a walk by torch light.
July 2, 1889, Tuesday. The two Misses Byrnes left for Trois Rivieres.
July 28, 1889, Sunday. Left for Montreal to pay for and come back with my diploma in Veterinary medicine. Went to Mass in St.-Jacques Church with Adeline.
October 21, 1889. Took board and room at the home of Mr. Olivier Croisetiers, #217 Laval Avenue, Montreal, at $3.50 per week including laundry. Paid $40.00 in advance. This is my fourth year in the study of medicine.
December 20, 1889. School closed for Christmas vacation.
December 25, 1889, Wednesday. Christmas Day and my 28th birthday. Went to Midnight Mass in the St. Mary Church in Montreal with Miss Adeline Byrns and spent the rest of the evening with her. I love her very much.
December 27, 1889, Friday. Left Montreal to go on a visit to Berthier.
January 1, 1890. My sister Hermine had her third baby christened. Spent the evening in the home of Mr. P. Paquin.
January 2, 1890. Great political rally for Mr. Raymond Savignac and Mr. Omer Dostaler. Spent the evening at my sister Hermine's home.
January 5, 1890, Sunday. Mr. Fernando Gadoury asked my sister, Merence, in marriage, to take place before Lent, 1890.
January 7, 1890, Tuesday evening. Left Berthier to continue my studies in Montreal. My sister, Merance, asked me to pray for her, and her eyes were filled with tears when I brought up the subject of her coming marriage and when she noticed my emotion.
January 15, 1890. Election day in Berthier. Mr. Omer Dostaler (Liberal Party) was elected and Mr. Raymond Savignac lost by 260 votes.
Raymond Savignac was Noel Arthur Savignac's 2nd cousin, once removed. [D. Savignac]
January 17, 1890. Finished my six cases in obstetrics at the maternity hospital of St.-Pelegie. For natural birthcases, one case of heavy bleeding, and one forceps case.
February 5, 1890, Wednesday. Sad and painful accident which happened to Mr. Patrick Byrns at 11 A.M. He was struck by a large window frame falling from the fourth story of a large apartment house. His skull was fractured and the blow was so terrible that he fell face forward on the ice and was completely disfigured. His face was one big wound. He was immediately sent to the General Hospital.
February 6, 1890. I learned of the terrible accident from Adeline, and I stayed all night at the home of Mrs. Byrns and her lovely daughter, Adeline. I sympathized with them with all my heart in this stroke of misfortune.
February 11, 1890, Tuesday. Wedding of my sister Mirance and Mr. Fernando Gadoury. Reverend Father Morin, Curate, performed the ceremony, and Mr. P. Paquin gave her away. There were 63 relatives and friends present, in 23 carriages.
February 17, 1890, Monday, 8:40 A.M. Death of Mr. Patrick Byrns at the General Hospital, twelve days after his accident.
February 20, 1890, Thursday. Funeral services and burial of Mr. Patrick Byrns. R.I.P.
February 27, 1890. Brought a small plant (flower) to Miss Adeline Byrns as proof of my love for her in her great sorrow.
April 3, 1890 at 6 P.M. Received the news that I had passed my final examinations for the title of Doctor of Medicine. I was one of those who had the highest marks of my class. It was high time that I finished my srudies as I was tired of studying so hard. My rooommate Alphonse Magnan felt the same way. He is 26 years old and I am 28. At night I visited several churches with the two Misses Byrns and Alcide Savignac. I told them of the good news. Miss Adeline seemed quite happy and satisfied of the outcome of the examinations.
April 4, 1890, Good Friday. Official notice given to those who had passed, or a total of 50 students.
April 6, 1890, Sunday. Last evening spent in Montreal with Miss Adeline Byrns.
April 7, 1890, Monday. Left Montreal for Berthier while waiting to be called to receive my license to practice medicine by virtue of my campaign in the Northwest in 1885. While waiting I am looking around for a place to practice my profession.
April 19, 1890, Saturday. Left Berthier for Batiscan to look over the place. I contacted Rev. Father Thibaudeau. I liked the place, but I had not received my license to practice.
April 20, 1890, Sunday. Left Batiscan for Montreal. Spent the evening with Miss Adeline.
April 21, 1890. Left Montreal for Salem, Mass., at 8 P.M.
April 22, 1890, Tuesday. Arrived at Salem at 2 P.M. Stopped in to see my cousin, Rev. Father J. O. Gadoury, who advised me to go to Amesbury, Mass., and to contact the President of St.-Jean-Baptiste Society. I went to see Mr. Brunelle, Pres., at 6 P.M. I found him to be a very kind man, and he strongly advised me to stay and establish myself in this place.
April 23, 1890, Wednesday, 8 P.M. Went to call on Rev. Father Burke, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church of Amesbury. He also strongly encouraged me and briefed me on some of the problems of the town. He was anxious to do things for the French Canadians in his parish. At night I called on Dr. Trudel. I had supper with him and slept in his home. After breakfast the following morning, we took a ride in a carriage around town. Dr. Trudel wants me to go in partnership with him, but I did not like the idea as I preferred to be on my own. Mr. Andrew Brochu was kind enough to allow me to use a room in his house free of charge, and I took my meals in the home of Mr. St. Enfant on Aubin St. for $3.00 per week. That same night I had a case of malignant diphtheria to start me off. It was a very bad case. I felt sick myself trying to get acclimated. I had headaches and felt weak all over.
October 31, 1890. Start of Mrs. James Chalifour's sickness. She came down with a galloping consumption of the left lung. She was very sick with this terrible disease and I did everything I knew to save her. Rev. Father Corneau of Trois Rivieres preached a retreat during the first part of October.
December 25, 1890, Thursday. Christmas Day -- and my 29th Birthday. Received a nice silk black stovepipe hat worth $5.00 from Mr. James Chalifour and, the day before, a Meerscheurm pipe from Mrs. B. Boulanger.
Wedding of my brother Paul in Berthier with Miss Azemia Paquin. I was supposed to go to this wedding accompanied by Miss Clara Boulanger of Amesbury, who was going to the convent of Villa Maria in Montreal to complete her studies in French, but I decided to stay on account of Mrs. James Chalifour being so ill, and also the court case of Mr. V. Thurst, both of which required my presence here. Besides, I did not have much money, and needed decent clothes for the occasion. I am having a hard time earning a living in Amesbury. The French Canadian population is composed of laborers who had to leave their farms in Canada and were having quite a struggle to make both ends meet here. I am having a hard time to keep out of debt and pay on my old ones. I owe $200 to Lawyer Lavally of Berthier, $25 to my uncle Alphonse DesRosiers, $10 to my uncle Louis DesRosiers, $29 to my brother Paul, $10 to Mr. Olivier Croisetiere on Montreal and $10 to mr. Lafontaine of Berthier, and I am working hard to pay these debts. I have paid some of them. I sent a small tool to my brother Paul for a wedding gift. I was very sorry not to have been able to attend his wedding as I was asked to take the place of my father.
January 20, 1891, Tuesday. Trial in Court of Mr. Vital Thurst vs. Mr. Edward Bachan of Amesbury. The former had fractured his left leg and was claiming damages from the latter, which without doubt were justified; but the former's lawyer, Mr. Davidson from Boston, had been bribed, and Mr. Thurst lost the case.
February 22, 1891. Sunday night at 10 o'clock. I told Mrs. Chalifour, nee Lea Provencher, with suitable words, that her case was hopeless and that she must prepare herself to die, and put all her affairs in order. She is a very good woman and very saintly. She has been very ill four months with galloping consumption. She answered, "I have no recommendations to make, Jimmy", to her husband.
February 28, 1891, Saturday. 29th Birthday of Miss Adeline Byrns. I wrote to her and sent her a sewing kit as a present last New Year's Day when I saw that I could not be present at my brother's wedding.
March 9, 1891, Monday. Last Communion made by Mrs. James Chalifour, at 9 A.M. by Rev. Father Burke. She told me between sobs that Father Burke had told her that her death was inevitable. I saw that she was taking it very hard, and that she wanted to continue living. I told her that she must calm down and accept her fate. Father Burke had been proven wrong once before a year ago when he had told her husband, James Chalifour, that he must prepare to die, and she could see that he was enjoying good health today. These words seemed to restore her courage and will to live, as only one lung was affected, although the other began to show signs of the same disease, and I was obliged to calm her down with words which I knew were not truthful. She was ill mentally from her approaching death, and physically from the constant oral discharge which was brought on by her constant sitting position which she insisted on keeping for or five days before her passing away. This good woman suffered severely, and she endured her sufferings in a spirit of penitence for her love of God. She often asked me at the start of her cruel disease: "Doctor, please tell me if I must die, or if I will get better?". I answered, "My dear lady, you are ill with a cruel disease, but it is not incurable. You can be completely cured", and on several occasions I was obliged to give words of hope to her husband and assure him that all was not hopeless. I was following the teaching laid down by my Professors. "The medical doctor, minister of a difficult art or profession, knows that he does not cure, that all his efforts tend to battle the disease by using hygienic, phamacuitic and prescribed practices, which are capable of helping the efforts of nature, an to the latter only is reserved the great and precious power of curing diseases". How sad it is for me, a Doctor of Medicine, to find myself completely helpless and have to face such a mortal enemy and know that I am bound by the principle of Hypocrates, "Set at ease the minds of the family, comfort always, relieve suffering often, but cure only rarely".
March 14, 1891, Saturday. Feast of the Blessed Virgin. Death of Mrs. James Chalifour, nee Lea Provencher. I have just lost a good friend. She always had great respect for me, and always acted so gentle, with a heart of gold for all those in whom she confided. She had been ill of a pulmonary condition for 4 1/2 months since the day before All Saints Day. She started by spitting blood in quantity at 3 in the morning and had a second attact at 7 A.M., a lasty one at 8:25 A.M., and passed away at 9 A.M. Her loving husband handed her the crucifix and she had strength anough to move her lips and kiss it. A moment later a big tear rolled down her white cheek, and it was apparent that she was trying to say something but was unable to do so. The flame of the candle was snuffed out. She died like a Saint and I said a prayer for the repose of her soul. The agony lasted 35 minutes. She kissed the crucifix and drew her last breath in the arms of her sobbing husband.
She was married on May 14, 1885 at the age of 16, and gave birth to a boy, Vildac James Chalifour, on March 15, 1889, who died on March 22, 1890, after being sick for three months and three weeks. Afterwards Mr. James Chalifour was ill for six weeks of an inflamation of the lungs. Mrs. Chalifour became ill herself after this due to all these troubles, worries, and hard work, as well as to all the sleep and rest she had lost caring for her family during these two sicknesses. All these things drained her strength and brought on tuberculosis. At the start of her illness, she had a loud sharp cough which could not be quieted with any medicine. For one whole month I diagnosed it as bronchitis, with no improvement. She was getting worse from day to day. I called in Dr. Stanley twice and Dr. Douglas one month later as consulting physicians, but to no avail as we were dealing with a disease of the main organs of the body. She was much more preoccupied with her physical condition at the beginning than later on, as she always had the hope of getting better, in spite of her sufferings. She also suffered considerably from sores at the base of her spine brought on by her sitting position which she maintained throughout. She died at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and 15 days, when youth is in full bloom. She stayed just long enough to cast her shadow on this earth on which we are born only to die. Her death in one sense of the word was beautiful, for she died with the love of God and all the comforts of the Church. Rev. Father Burke told me that she was prepared and ready and told him she would pray for him when she was in Heaven.
This poor child turned her head away so as not to hear him; she did not want to die, and her eyes were full of tears. I gave Father Burke $1 when she could see me asking him to pray for her. This seemed to make her very happy. I wanted to show her that I loved her like a sister, loving and sweet. On New Year's Day, 1891, I went to wish her a Happy New Year with a prompt recovery and paradise in the end as a reward of all her good deeds and her sufferings. She answered: "For my part, Doctor, I wish that you will come and look for me in Heaven", and she turned her head so as not to show the tears in her eyes. I comforted her the best I could in spite of the sorrow I felt to see her headed for the grave in spite of all we could do. She often spoke of her child and his sickness, how she loved him and how he died. She was learning English and could read fairly well when she came down with her sickness. At one point she dropped everything and made me a scapular. On New Year's Day she gave me a silk handkerchief with my initials embroidered on it. There will never be a day go by without my remembering her in my prayers. I bet her $1 two months ago that she would recover, but she refusedthe bet as she knew she was losing life gradually. I owe her a Mass.
May 15, 1891. Gave Father Burke $1 to say a Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs. James Chalifour.
June 1, 1891. Death of Sir Antoine Aime Dorion, Chief Justice of the Appellate Court of the Province of Quebec.
June 6, 1891. Death of Sir John MacDonald, G.C.B., D.C.L., L.L.D., C.R., C.P. Prime Minister of the Conservative Party in the Government at Ottawa.
End of the Diary
Postscript, by Dr. Eugene Savignac
Sometime during the year 1893 Mr. Francis Pouliot, a resident of Amesbury, needing medical attention for his sick wife, went to see my father so as to engage his services. He mentioned the fact, however, that he could not afford to pay him as he was having a hard time to earn a living. I am told that my father blew his top, and proceeded to tell Mr. Pouliot that he was fed up with his type of people as he had to earn a living and he could not afford to work for nothing or without pay any longer.
Mr. Pouliot then pleaded with him to come to his house and promised he would manage to pay him somehow. Hearing this, my father relented and followed Mr. Pouliot home. He did what he could for his ailing wife, and then got acquainted with the family. Mr. Pouliot had four grown-up daughters, the oldest of whom, Eugenie, being 20 years old. My father fell in love with her at first sight and it is safe to say that the mother received the best medical attention the doctor could give free of charge.
My father and Miss Eugenie Pouliot were married on January 29, 1894. They went to Canada by train on their honeymoon. It began to snow real hard on the way and the train was having a hard time getting through. A railroad employee tried his best to talk the newlyweds into going to a small hotel for refreshments and a bite to eat while the train was stopped. My father and mother decided to stay on the train and it was a good thing they did as the train started moving soon after, and it turned out to be the last one to get through for several days. My father figured the railroad employee was paid by the hotel to do this, and reported him to the railroad authorities as soon as he could.