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cloud_splitter
Member
Post Number: 15
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 11:56 pm: | 
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I am sure most of the people who read these messages on Ottertooth have visited the location of the first fur post on Lake Temagami at the end of Temagami Island.
Here is a sour description of the post as found when the trader James Hackland arrived to spend the winter in October 1857.
Although Hackland was a bit humourless by nature, he certainly did not find five star acommodations.
"Of all the places that I have seen since I came to Hudson’s Bay this is the most wretched of all. The store is miserable. Nothing on the roof but bark and in that holes that any person can put his fist through. One of the ends above the height of the side wall logs slips of bush [brush] and in that I can go through. And between the side logs there is [sic] two and three inches of space. And part of it not any flooring."
"The dwelling house is also a miserable hutt [sic]. A shower of sand or loam coming down every now and again which serves as a warning don’t look from your toes. However by hunching and pinching we must endeavour to (hug) the dreery [sic] winter over." [Then his fate brightens.]
"One of the Indians and family of this fort accompanied us to the house from one of the islands two miles from this and brought four martens of furs which he traded. These Indians brought some dried fish. And besides took some advances for the winter. The potatoe gardens is [sic] very poor. In one of them the Indians or their dogs have encroached pretty freely as some of the hills are dug up. The layers of potatoes taken. And the small ones left for us which I suppose they think is good enough for the few potatoes that we may have. I shall have to make some sort of a volt [sic] for to keep them in during the winter."
"There is a small hole behind this house. But in fact I don’t know if it has been intended for a potatoe house or a dog house. In appearance it has served for both."
One comfort fine water and plenty of fine firewood near at hand."
It would be a long winter. |
doc
Member
Post Number: 18
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 10:10 am: |
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I know of a little cemetery there. Are there any other visible remnants of the Post?
Thanks for sharing these tidbits cloud_splitter. I am also looking forward to reading your book.
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cloud_splitter
Member
Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 4:27 pm: |
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The cemetery was used by native people for many years. As far as I know, nobody from the fur post was buried there.
A number of years ago, I noticed the stone base of a chimney probably from the post/dwelling house. On Temagami Island, the early Hudson's Bay Company outpost had minimal facilities unlike the well established post later on Bear Island.
I am glad you enjoy these glimpses of the past. Whenever I can, I am unearthing more. |
cloud_splitter
Member
Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 7:51 pm: |
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Apparently, i was not the first to notice the chimney of the HBC post on Temagami island. The 1901 Sessional Papers for Ontario mention it as well.
The Temagami District report, easily found with a google search, states that "the stones of an old chimney may still be seen."
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Temagami general