Most immigrants settled along the new rail line at Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Maple Creek. Others settled at or near our posts at places like Wood Mountain, Regina, Battleford, Fort Macleod, Calgary, Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.
Our work grew as the towns grew. Our posts had the first post offices and we acted as postmasters until around 1883.
We collected custom duties, acted as Indian agents and at some of our detachments, kept track of weather records.
We kept a count of all the people who moved west. Eventually, many of these tasks were taken over by other government departments, and we could concentrate on police matters.
Liquor smuggling was still a major problem and searching wagons, rail cars and baggage for liquor took up much of our time.
We also began escorting mail runs to protect them from robbery. We pursued and charged criminals with a number of offences.
Our first few years on the prairies were interesting, but at times lonely.
With so many new neighbours, we hosted dances, held cricket matches, sponsored games of skill and some of our men even organized bands that would play for community events. |
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Towns like Fort Macleod bustled with the influx of settlers. |
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Liquor smugglers were creative, hiding liquor in barrels of flour, kerosene tins, even animal carcasses. |
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The growing towns soon hosted cultural events and parties. |
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