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Two
Fort Macleod cemeteries are the final resting places of some
colourful characters from Alberta’s past.
Legendary scout Jerry Potts, who brought the North West Mounted
Police to what is now Fort Macleod at the end of their historic
March West, and Const. James Nash, the first Mountie killed in the
line of duty, are just two of the famous people who are laid to
rest.
The headstones in Union and Holy Cross cemeteries tell a respectful
and interesting story.
Some of the founding members of the Town of Fort Macleod and
southern Alberta are buried in the cemeteries.
The land on which Holy Cross Cemetery sits, for example, was
consecrated in 1888 by Father Lacombe, a missionary priest who
played a huge role in the settlement of western Canada.
Union Cemetery, which lies just north of the Holy Cross Cemetery,
contains the graves of 40 Mounties.
There is new signage at the entrances to both cemeteries to help
tell some of the stories of some well-known — and not so
well-known characters from the community’ past.
Victoria Cross recipient Brigadier General Harvey, commanding
officer of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in World War One, is also
buried in Macleod. D.W. Davis, a whisky trader who upon the
arrival of the Mounties became their chief supplier and later was
elected to Parliament, is at rest in the cemetery.
Also buried in Fort Macleod are three pilots killed in training at
the British Commonwealth Air Training Program base in World War
Two. |
