A team of young buffalo was driven in the 1925 Calgary Stampede Parade. Shown are: Driver Bert Bishoff and riders, left, Harry Shore, and right, Mickey Dirraine.

History: Hope Oliver Retires

Reprinted from the July 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Hope Oliver RetiresBy M. M. Grimsen, Claresholm, Alta. ‘“I’ve made lots of branding fires but I’ve never made one like this,” remarked Hope Oliver to Mrs. Oliver as he lit a fire in the gas range in their home to which they have retired in Claresholm. Without doubt Mr. Oliver had made many branding fires […] Read more

History: Grassland Farming Pays

Reprinted from the June 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Grassland Farming PaysBy A.L. O’Farrell, Piapot, Sask. ‘We are told that overgrazing of grasslands has been one of the main causes for the decline of ancient civilizations. Man has had some very pointed lessons on grassland farming so that slowly but inevitably it has been learned the through proper grassland management, feed and food supplies […] Read more


History: Hippus was Here, Part 3

Reprinted from the July 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Hippus was Here, Final InstallmentBy Doreen Runciman ‘With reference to prehistoric remains, Colonel Hamilton Smith says: “What is most deserving of attention is the fact that while all the other genera and species found under the same conditions have ceased to exist, or have moved to higher temperatures, the horse alone has remained to the […] Read more

Hypohippus, the Forest Horse, preferred the low-lying marshy land.

History: Hippus was Here, Part 2

Reprinted from the June 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Hippus was Here, Part 2By Doreen Runciman ‘During the whole pre-historic time there were four main migrations of Hippus, in varying stages, from the western to the eastern hemisphere. Beginning in the days of Eohippus, they continued sporadically throughout the Tertiary Period until the final phase of the Pleistocene Epoch.’ Click here to read the […] Read more


Eohippus, the Dawn Age Horse.

History: Hippus was Here, Part 1

Reprinted from the May 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Hippus was Here, Part 1By Doreen Runciman ‘In the legendary land deal known as the Founding of New Mexico, the bronco steed is mentioned along with the centipede as among the population, but back in the days when history was being written in layers of rock, there was perhaps more similarity between the horse and […] Read more

History: William Melnyk’s Story

Reprinted from the June 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

William Melnyk’s StoryBy Grant MacEwan ‘When the judging was completed at the big Edmonton Spring Show last month, no name among the scores of livestock exhibitors was more conspicuous than that of Melnyk. One Melnyk entry won the grand championship in Shorthorn bulls; a Melnyk calf was champion in the baby beef section and reserve […] Read more


Thomas G. Stewart. who spent 27 years as a fieldman in the employ of the Federal Live Stock Branch, came to Canada after serving in the South African war. One of his first jobs in Canada was as horseman for the Douglas Lake Cattle Company.

History: Early horse breeding at Douglas Lake

Reprinted from the May 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Early horse breeding at Douglas LakeBy T.G. (Tom) Stewart As is generally understood, the Douglas Lake Ranch was started in the very early 1880s by Charlie Beak, who had a ranch in Oregon, and who when he heard that a railroad was coming through British Columbia, came up to get a foothold in the prospective […] Read more

History: Buffalo Pound

Reprinted from the June 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Buffalo PoundBy W. S. Scarth, 11450 – 79th Ave., Edmonton, Alta. ‘“Buffalo Pound” is based on the eye-witness account contained in Henry Y. Hind’s “Journal of the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition – 1858”. In July of that year Hind and his party examined the Qu’Appelle Valley to its source and made a track survey […] Read more


History: E. C. R. “Reg” Harris

Reprinted from the June 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

E. C. R. “Reg” HarrisBy R. D. Symons, Ft. St. John, B.C. ‘On June, 1952, a well known old-timer of the Maple Creek district passed away in the person of Reg Harris, who was in his 67th year. Reg was born in England in 1883. In 1892 his father came to the West and shortly […] Read more

History: Pulling Horses

Reprinted from the July 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Pulling HorsesBy N. G. Stanford, Rosemary, Alta. ‘Whenever “pulling horses” are mentioned I recall with nostalgia my first experience with horses drawing heavy loads. First, because of the remorse I felt at the time, and second, because my father’s admonition to me was worthy of the wisdom of Confucius and may help many young people, […] Read more