LAKE SUPERIOR TREK 1885

When the North-West Rebellion erupted in March, 1885, the Canadian government immediately dispatched military forces to the West. About 3,700 troops from the East were transported, fed and sheltered by the Canadian Pacific Railway, then under construction. Four formidable gaps, between the Lochalsh and Nipigon areas in the railway’s line north of Lake Superior, totalled about 90 miles. One of these stretched about 20 miles from Jackfish westward to Winston’s Landing. For several days the soldiers struggled across the gaps by sleigh and forced marches over rugged terrain and lake ice. Where track was laid they rode board-sided flat cars. Though hardships and harsh weather made the trek an ordeal, no men were lost.