Barclay & The Gold Rush

 The Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899) was an unprecedented event in Canadian history. People from around the world literally stampeded to the Yukon Territory to stake their claim in the gold fields. When 100,000 would-be prospectors invaded an unhospitable wilderness strange and bizarre events would inevitably follow.

In his memoirs, Henry Barclay of the North-West Mounted Police relates when he was stationed in Dawson City during the gold rush.

When the bank in Dawson is robbed, Barclay assumes he will be put on the case, but his superior gives Barclay the job of bringing in a mad miner who seems to be suffering from cabin fever.

The Klondike Gold Rush is a fascinating event, so fascinating in fact that it also played a big part in my Sherlock Holmes book, Cold-Hearted Murder.   

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon!

Barcaly & Sir John A. Macdonald

 My latest book, Barclay of the Mounted, tells the story of a young man’s western adventures with the newly-formed North-West Mounted Police. The chapter, The Missing Prime Minister, recounts the historic journey of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald’s first cross-country trip on the newly built transcontinental railway. 

The journey took place in the summer of 1886. The train left Ottawa on 13 June. There were many stops along the way and Sir John would greet his constituents from the platform of his car, The Jamaica.

Outside of Calgary, Sir John met with the chiefs of the Western tribes. 

At Laggan, Alberta, Lady Agnes Macdonald decided to get a better view of the landscape by riding on the cowcatcher of the engine.

On 27 July, the train pulled into Port Moody, BC, the most western terminus of the CPR.

Finally, on 30 August, the Macdonalds arrived back home in Ottawa.

All of Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon!

John A. Macdonald's Trip Through the Rockies by the Newly Completed CPR, July 1886
Charles William Jefferys
Glenbow Museum, Calgary