Stranica 267 [267]
that the persecution of William B. Richards, William
B. Wells, Walter McCrea, and other Reformers of
this section, was totally uncalled for.
Mr. Gowan was one of the originators of the first
volunteer force formed in Upper Canada, it being
known as the “ Brockville Invincibles.” For several
years he figured prominently in the Militia. Sir
Francis Bond Head made him Captain of the 2nd
Leeds Militia, under the orders of the Hon, Charles
Jones. Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton gave him
command ofa company of the Queen’s Own Rifles.
His Excellency, Sir George Arthur appointed him
to acommand in the gth Provisional Battalion of
Militia. At the Battle of the Windmill he was
slightly wounded, and was noticed in the general
orders giving an account of the battle. On the
decease of the Hon. Charles Jones, he became the
commander of the znd Leeds Militia.
As a politician he represented the County of
Leeds in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Provincial
Parliaments, and also in the Second Parliament
of Upper Canada. The election riots which broke
out at Beverly, and disgraced the Province, have
been generally ascribed to Mr, Gowan’s determina¬
connected with his public career, not generally
known, deserves more than a passing comment.
In a letter, written in 1830, he favored the preserva¬
tion of harmony between the executive and repre¬
sentative branches of the government, thus becoming
an advocate of Responsible Government. This
letter, which is still extant, was published by Sir
Francis Hincks, and largely circulated. Mr. Gowan
was appointed agent for Crown Lands in the
District of Johnstown, and afterwards Supervisor
of Tolls on the Public Works west of Lachine.
His parliamentary career closed in 1861, when he
became Post Office Inspector of the Money Order
Department for Upper Canada, a position which
he filled for many years. At the time of his death
he held the position of Issuer and Inspector of
Licences for the City of Toronto. For many years
his influence in political circles was great, his
position as Grand Master of the Orangemen giving
his opinions weight. An excellent public speaker
and debater, he handled political opponents with
a severity at many times uncalled for, and
provoked a bitterness in the discussion of public
affairs which even the lapse of fifty years has not
been able to efface.
MAJOR J. M. WALSH.
. Major Walsh, of the Northwest Mounted Police,
In 1866, when the Fenian Raid aroused the patriotism
of so many Canadians, Mr, Walsh joined the yolun¬
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teers, he having previously graduated at the Military
School at Kingston, His promotion was rapid, he
being created ensign and subsequently acting¬
adjutant, next becoming Captain of the Lisgar
Rifles. Entering the Cavalry School, he won well
merited praise from the officer commanding, Colonel
Jenyns, who declared him to be the best drilled
Canadian who had graduated from the school. In
1872, he organized a troop of cavalry, which remain¬
ed under his command until. the following year,
when he proceeded to the Northwest with the first
detachment of Mounted Police, his position being
that of Subordinate Inspector. During the follow¬
ing year he returned to Ontario on business con¬
nected with his military duties, and was promoted
to the rank of Superintendent and Inspector. In
May, 1874, he departed for the “Great Lone Land,”
with his second detachment, and marched from
Dufferin to the Rocky Mountains, a distance of 1,400
miles, establishing the post now so well known as
Fort Walsh. He has taken a leading part in nego¬
tiating treaties with the Indians, and has upon
several occasions of great danger acted with a promp¬
titude and decision, which marks him as an officer of
the class especially fitted to deal with the treacherous
savages. On the arrival of Sitting Bull on Canadian
territory, the situation became one of great peril,
requiring caution, boldness and tact. Major Walsh
so conducted matters that he became known over
the continent as “ Sitting Bull’s Boss.” During his
acquired the Sioux and Blackfeet languages. By
the Peigans he is known as " White Chief of the
Assiniboines,’”’ and by the Blackfeet as “The one
who ties,” having upon one occasion shackled four
of their chiefs.
In 1870, the Major married a daughter of Mr.
John Mowat, of Brockville, where his family at
present resides.
W. R. BIGG.,
Mr. W. Rk. Bigg was born in London, England, in
1821, and followed the mercantile profession till 1843,
present time he has been actively engaged in the
cause of education, having filled the positions of
Principal of the Central School, St. Thomas (Elgin);
Mathematical and Science Master of the Galt
Grammar School; Principal of the Brockville
Central School, and Headmaster of the United
High and Public Schools of Brockville; which
latter position he held till his appointment of Public
School Inspector for the First Division of Leeds, in
1871. In thesame year he was also chosen as Public
School Inspector for Brockville, and a similar honor