Paul Kane
I have not paid enough attention to Paul Kane, and I am beginning to regret that fact. He is a very useful guy when it comes to west-of-the-Rockies history, and…
Read moreAurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis was a familiar sight to all the Hudson’s Bay men, but no York Factory Express man, other than Aemilius Simpson, ever wrote about it. Where did he…
Read moreTwo Canoes: Cumberland House
We are now on our way to Cumberland House. Since my last post in this series, “we” had a short discussion on which of the Dease brothers met Governor George…
Read moreYork Factory Express, Lake Winnipeg to Cumberland House
Aemilius Simpson gives the best description of this first stretch of the Saskatchewan River from Lake Winnipeg to Cumberland House, in August 1826. Many little stories appear in these various…
Read moreAlexis L’Esperance
Alexis L’Esperance appears regularly in the journals of the York Factory Express, but he never is traveling in their boats. His full name is Alexis Bonamie dit L’Esperance — and…
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