Chief factor at Fort Edmonton John Rowand

1 chief factor @ fort edmonton

1.1 relations workers
1.2 relations first nations
1.3 family

chief factor @ fort edmonton

starting in 1823, rowand chief factor @ fort edmonton, making him answerable governor simpson or hbc s london committee. rowand s fort positioned on 1 of best means of transportation across continent @ time: north saskatchewan river. in years of rowand s administration, overland routes northern posts such fort assiniboine made, , edmonton became central hub furs shipped.

the fort located on flood plain @ time, however, , rowand oversaw moving of fort short distance higher ground following floods in 1820s. on new site, home alberta legislature building, had massive house constructed own use along fort s courtyard. house known rowand s folly extravagance; reputed have been first house have glass windows in west.

relations workers

rowand regarded of ill-tempered taskmaster workers under him. noted rowand on subject, when misbehave tell them of without fearing hurt feelings – must duty made mine. rowand s high expectations of workers showed in little sympathy illness; father albert lacombe came upriver boat brigade rowand in 1852, , recalled when tried convince rowand 1 of labourers ill , needed rest, rowand responded, man not dead after 3 days sickness not sick @ all.

rowand s various abuses against workers earned ire, unfair hudson s bay company practice put mutiny on top in 1851. issue drove work stoppage labourers required pay work horses; horses drawn randomly lots , cost same regardless of condition. men permitted company s work horses. if horse died, common, man have pay new one. in response work stoppage, company agreed provide horses free, according labourer william gladstone, men made further demand john rowand provide each man quart of rum in stirrup cup. rowand capitulated, per gladstone s account, after presenting himself in dramatic fashion them, fearless , defiant, struck dead mutineers, though revolting workers told him that not intent @ all.

some workers in habit of calling john rowand nickname, one-pound-one . shuffle-step-shuffle sound made when rowand walked, owing broken leg had suffered earlier in career.

relations first nations

rowand prided himself fair trader, writing of himself, no 1 ever spoilt indians. [...] give them due must duty. rowand bold in dealings, evidently bold enough raise voice native chiefs in own camps when surrounded warriors. spirit captured in 1947 painting henry simpkins (seen here [1]) used hbc calendar; painting shows rowand (stylistically slimmer) standing mounted blackfoot attack on plains. according accompanying story, chief recognized rowand, apologized, , turned away.

impressed rowand, natives referred him big mountain or iron shirt . rowand s term chief factor saw greater fur returns before.

family

although john never had marriage louise solemnized had 4 daughters baptized catholic priests. when daughter nancy rowand married john edward harriott marriage performed catholic priest john rowand serving lead witness.