NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS.
The following is taken from the Prince George _Star_, January 19, 19--.
Extra.
NOT GUILTY!
At 7.53 P.M. the jury in the trial of Ambrose Doane for treason-felony
returned a verdict of not guilty without leaving their seats. This was
a foregone conclusion. Upon issuing from the courthouse the acquitted
man received an immense ovation from the waiting crowd.
From the Prince George _Star_, January 24, 19--: Editorial.
THE REAL CRIMINAL!
Now that the trial of Ambrose Doane is a thing of the past, a tragic
miscarriage of justice happily averted, and the excitement abated, it
is time for the thoughtful to examine into the underlying causes of the
trouble at Fort Enterprise.
That there was serious trouble no one denies; but the general
disposition is, since the innocent man is free and the guilty one dead
by his own hand, to forget the whole matter. Now is the time to take
measures to make it impossible for anything of the kind to occur again.
Granting that Gordon Strange, that extraordinary character, played for
high stakes, lost and paid--was he the sole criminal? What sort of
conditions were they up there that made it possible for him to engineer
his unique schemes of villainy?
For years the arrogant policy and the unscrupulous methods of the great
corporation that holds the north of our province in thrall have been
matters of common gossip in the streets. But no man has dared to raise
his voice.
"They say" that the mighty corporation rides over the helpless redskins
roughshod. "They say" that the Indians are charged exorbitant prices
for the necessities of life, while a mere pittance is given them for
their valuable furs.
Is it true? Who knows? No news comes out of that sealed country save
by the pleasure of the great Company. Certain aspects of the testimony
given in the Ambrose Doane trial leads us to suspect that these charges
are not without foundation.
Parliament should investigate. The question is, does the Province of
Athabasca control the Northwest Fur Company, or does the Company run
the province?
From the Prince George _Star_, January 27, 19--.
GAVILLER IS OUT!
At the head offices of the Northwest Fur Company it was given out this
morning that the resignation of John Gaviller, the Company's trader at
Fort Enterprise, had been accepted to take effect immediately.
Duncan MacDonald, general manager of the Company, said, when asked for
a further statement: "Mr. Gaviller's resignation was requested for the
good of the service. Owing to the conditions of our business the
traders have to be given the widest latitude in the command of their
posts, and we do not always know what is going on.
"Mr. Gaviller was very successful at Enterprise, but the disclosures at
the Doane trial showed that his acts have not always been in accord
with the policy of this company in dealing with the Indians. To our
mind the welfare of the Indians is more important than profits."
Mr. Gaviller was later found at the Royal George Hotel. Upon being
shown the foregoing he did not hesitate to express an opinion of it.
"Put not your trust in corporations!" he said. "I have given them
thirty years of my life, my best years, and here I am turned out over
night! It is the threat of a parliamentary investigation that has led
them to their present panic and attempt to make a scapegoat of me.
"If they think I'll take it lying down they are much mistaken. The
Indians' welfare more important than profits, eh? Excuse me if I
laugh." Mr. Gaviller added somewhat stronger expression.
"You can say from me," he went on, "that not only have I always
followed instructions to the letter, but that twice a year I laid my
books open to the Company inspector, who was informed of the minutest
details of my transactions.
"I accept my share in the blame for what happened. I have learned my
lesson. But let me tell you this, that the policy pursued at Fort
Enterprise was the Company's policy--letter and spirit.
"Moreover, in my time Fort Enterprise has paid thousands and thousands
of dollars to the shareholders of the Company, and I have not profited
one cent beyond my salary."
At this point Mr. Gaviller's daughter came downstairs and he would say
no more. Miss Gaviller declined to speak for publication.
From the Prince George _Star_, February 3, 19--.
A BEAUTIFUL ADORNMENT.
Our city has the honor of containing at the present moment the most
beautiful set of furs ever exhibited in America. It is to be seen in
the window of Messrs. Renfrew & Watkins's establishment on Oliver
Avenue.
It consists of three magnificent black fox skins smooth and lustrous as
jet, except for the snowy tips of the brushes. Two of the pelts go to
the neck-piece, while the third--the most beautiful skin that ever came
out of the north in the opinion of these experienced furriers--makes
the muff.
Mr. Renfrew refused to set a value on the furs, but we learn on good
authority that they are insured for five thousand dollars.
There are romantic and tragic associations with these furs. Two of the
pelts have been in the possession of Mr. Renfrew for some time. He
held them on speculation until he could obtain a third to complete the
set.
This one, the finest of the three, was brought out last August by
Ambrose Doane. This was the skin which almost cost John Gaviller his
life, and indirectly induced a rebellion among the Kakisa Indians. All
those who followed the course of the recent trial will remember it.
Upon obtaining the third pelt, Mr. Renfrew sent the three to London to
be dressed and made up. They have just been returned.
A purchaser has already been found for the set. His name is kept
secret, but we are assured that the beautiful furs will remain in this
province.
From the Prince George _Star_, February 3, 19--.
GAVILLER GOES WITH MINOT & DOANE.
An interesting fact leaked out yesterday when it became known that
Ambrose Doane had made an offer to John Gaviller to take charge of the
new trading-post that Minot & Doane purpose establishing on Great
Buffalo Lake.
Mr. Doane could not be found by the Star reporter. Since the trial he
has spent a good deal of his time dodging reporters. He has a private
room at the Athabasca Club which no representative of the press has yet
succeeded in locating.
John Gaviller was found at the Royal George Hotel. He admitted the
truth of the report, and seemed very pleased by his new prospects.
"It tells its own story, doesn't it?" he said. "I belong to the north.
I have traded up there thirty years, and I will not be any worse trader
for what has happened."
In answer to further questions he only shook his head. "I talked too
much to you fellows the other day," he said. "You caught me at a
disadvantage. Nothing more to say. The arrangements between Ambrose
Doane and me concern nobody but ourselves. I may say, however, that
our relations are of the happiest nature."
From the Prince George _Star_, February 21, 19--.
THE CULMINATION OF A ROMANCE.
In another column of this paper will be found a notice of the marriage
of Ambrose Doane to Miss Colina Gaviller, which took place a week ago
to-day at the Chapel of the Redeemer on Jarvis Street.
The ceremony was performed by the rector, Rev. Algernon Mitford. The
only witnesses were the bride's father, who gave her away, and Mr. and
Mrs. Arthur Denholm.
With the traveling costume the bride wore the wonderful set of
black-fox furs which have been town talk during the past month.
Ambrose Doane was the purchaser.
The news was suppressed until to-day on account of the desire of all
parties to avoid further publicity. We learn that Mr. and Mrs. Doane
and Mr. Gaviller left for the north by stage on the same day.
They part company at Miwasa landing; the bride and groom continue north
to Moultrie on Lake Miwasa, while Mr. Gaviller goes northwest to Fort
Enterprise to settle his affairs, thence to his new post on Great
Buffalo Lake.
We learn that Mr. Doane is to run the post at Moultrie, while his
partner, Mr. Minot, will operate an opposition store to the Company at
Fort Enterprise.
A private letter from the landing tells of a wonderful van on runners
that Ambrose Doane is building there to house his bride on their long
journey north.
It is to contain a stove, bookshelves, side-board, piano, and all the
comforts of a city residence, and will be drawn by four horses.
Their way lies over the regular winter road over the ice of the Miwasa
River. Job, the little dog who was mentioned so often during the
trial, will be a member of the party.
THE END