Return to the Peel Journal - Day 14 - RCGS Expedition 2018

From Charles Camsell's files: A Gwich'in (Loucheux) family in Fort McPherson.

July 29th. Cool and windy but sunny.

Woke up late and well rested in our hotel.

Charles Camsell's Expedition arrived in Fort McPherson on July 31st. They were greeted by the legendary Hudson’s Bay Company trader John Firth, who was a colleague and friend of Charles’ father, Julian Camsell, who had been the HBC Chief Factor for the MacKenzie district, based at Fort Simpson.

Charles Camsell's files: Inuit outside the Hudson's Bay Co. "Big House."

From Charles Camsell’s memoir, “Son of the North.” - “Fort McPherson is situated on the last high land before the surface drops off to the low marshy lands of the McKenzie delta. It consisted of about a dozen log buildings which housed the Hudson’s Bay Company, Mounted Police and the Anglican mission. I was greeted most cordially by that famous old fur trader and an old friend, John Firth, of the Hudson’s Bay Company and by Inspector Howard and his detachment of six policemen.”

Hudson's Bay Co. storehouse still standing in Ft. McPherson.

The Hudson’s Bay Post is long gone, but we did find an old storehouse that had belonged to the company. We were also greeted by the Mounted Police. Sgt Ken Beard and his officers joined us at the Anglican mission, final resting place of Terry’s grandfather, special Const. Sam Carter and the other members of the 1911 Lost Patrol.

At the grave of Sp. Cst. Sam Carter at St Matthew's Church with Sgt Ken Beard, Terry, David, Graham and officers from the Ft. McPherson RCMP Detachment

They were gracious with their time and seemed genuinely interested in Terry’s stories of his grandfather and his connection to this place. They were surprised when we told them that the detachment in 1905 had 6 officers. It still has that many today!