Chapter 6

On The Trail To Peace River

On the trail to Peace River--The South Heart River--Good farming lands--The Little Prairie--Peace River Crossing--The vast banks of the Peace a country in themselves--Wild fruits--Prospectors from the Selwyn Mountains--The Poker Flat Mining Camp--Buffalo paths and wallows--Magnificent prairies between Peace River Landing and Fort Dunvegan--Fort Dunvegan--Sir George Simpson and Colin Fraser--Some townships blocked here--The Roman Catholic Mission--Baffled miners returning--The natives of Dunvegan--Relics of the old régime--Large families the rule--The Church missions--Back to Peace River Crossing--Tepees, tents and trading stores--Mr. Alexander Mackenzie--The sites of old fur posts--Indian names of the Peace River--Description of the agricultural and other resources of the Upper Peace River--The Chinook winds--Grand Prairie--Rainfall scanty on prairies throughout the River--Lack of waggon roads and trail facilities.