Teacher’s Guide - Theme 3: Sam and Marie, A Love Story

Sam Steele had been in the NWMP for 14 years and was 40 years old when he met Marie in 1888; she was 29.  They fell in love quickly and when he proposed to her, she accepted his offer of marriage.  Steele affectionately called Marie by her family nick-name of Maye in their letters. Steele wrote to her father, Robert Harwood, to ask his permission to marry his daughter.  He noted their different religions as he was an Anglican and Marie was a Roman Catholic but he promised to abide by the rules of her Church in mixed marriages.  Robert Harwood granted his permission and they were married in Vaudreuil, Quebec just after Steele’s 42nd birthday on January 15, 1890.  

Since his father-in-law was a Member of Parliament and in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s Conservative Party, Steele asked Robert Harwood to write a letter on his behalf in case the post of Commissioner of the NWMP came up.  

When Sam was stationed in the North West, Marie and their growing family usually lived on the NWMP base.  They did have one scare when crossing a river in a wagon, but really enjoyed living in the West.  Their first daughter, Flora, was born 7 December 1891, their second daughter, Gertrude, on 2 August 1895, and their son, Harwood, on 5 May 1897, just 7 weeks before his grandfather died and after whom he was named.  

However, when Sam was assigned to the Yukon in 1898, Marie and the children remained near her family in Montreal.  Steele returned to Montreal in September 1899.  In January 1900, Steele was asked by Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, to organize and command a new cavalry regiment of over 500 soldiers to fight for Britain against the Boers in the South African War.  These mounted soldiers were to be recruited from current and former members of the NWMP and other western horsemen.  Steele took a leave of absence from the NWMP and in 1903 resigned his post in the NWMP to become a senior officer in the British and Canadian armies.  The family was separated for most of 2.5 years.  After Steele accepted a 4 year appointment to help organize and lead the South African Constabulary, modelled on the NWMP, the family moved to South Africa in November 1902 and stayed until November 1906.  

After spending a year with the British Cavalry as Adjutant-General under Lord Baden-Powell, the Steeles moved back to Canada in 1907.  Sam served in the Canadian permanent defence force and as Commanding Officer of Military Districts in Calgary and later Winnipeg.  The Steeles continued to live in Canada until 1915 when Sam was a Major-General and led the Second Canadian Division to England.  Between 1907 and 1915, the family lived in Canada and the children attended school and received their training here.  

Sam and Marie were wonderful letter writers. Their regular short absences from one another, due to Sam’s police work, and their longer absences during the Klondike Gold Rush and the South African Boer War between 1898 and 1902, increased their letter writing.

These family letters allow us to examine through this one type of historical evidence some of the social attitudes around marriage, children and education.  They provide opportunities to look at Continuity and Change in the relations between men and women through the lens of one upper middle class, Canadian couple. 

Teachers have several options as they plan their teaching approach. The may use an individual approach and select a few documents to examine with their students.  Alternatively, teachers may use a small group or cooperative group learning strategy that has students in expert groups examine one of the documents in a set, or divide the class into expert groups to investigate the issues set out in this Theme and share their learnings in home groups and with the rest of the class.  The 3 issues laid out here are:
A) Courtship and Marriage
B) Coping with a Parent who travels for work and was away from home  
C) Education
Sam and Marie: An Enduring Love Affair
From: http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/theme/3

Considering the heavy demands of Steele’s career, it is perhaps surprising that he found time for romance.  [Sam Steele was 40 years old in 1889.]  Yet when Marie Elizabeth de Lotbinière Harwood (1859–1951) came to NWMP headquarters at Fort Macleod to visit her aunt, she captivated Steele and they fell deeply in love. Steele’s command at Fort Macleod afforded him little leisure, but, during a romantic courtship over the summer of 1888, they discovered many shared interests, including their affection for horses.

When he proposed to Marie, she readily accepted; to please her family they were wed in Quebec on 15 January 1890. Her francophone, Roman Catholic background was in stark contrast to Steele’s upbringing in an Anglican family on a rural Ontario homestead. Marie was the eldest daughter of Robert William Harwood (1826–1897), a seigneur of the county and [a Conservative] Member of Parliament from Vaudreuil. Thus Steele gained both a wife and an influential political connection [with P.M. John A. Macdonald].  After their wedding, the couple travelled to New York and toured the United States, where his celebrity elicited warm hospitality. In his autobiography Steele recalled that the New York Fire Department greeted them with a parade of 60 engines; numerous police departments also received them with enthusiasm.

Sam and Marie exchanged hundreds of affectionate letters throughout their 29-year marriage. A significant portion of the Steele archive, their correspondence touches on both personal affairs and historical events, and reveals a fascinating, if largely unexplored, area of Steele’s life.

On the following pages are transcripts of some of the letters the Steele family members exchanged over the years. Many of the originals are available on the Steele website and the links have been provided. After the letters, teachers will find activities they can use with their students to explore the historical thinking concept of continuity and change. 

5. 1	Sam Steele to his future father-in-law, Robert Harwood
(EC 1) 2008.1.1.1.2.25
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/1/2/25
[pg 1]
3rd Dec. 1888

Robert. Harwood Esq
	Vaudreuil
		P.Q. 
Dear Sir
	You will, no doubt, be much surprised at the receipt of this letter from one who is such an utter stranger, and especially as it is to ask you for the hand of your 
[pg 2]
daughter Miss Harwood in marriage, I have only known her for a few months, but love her dearly, and should you regard with favour this request, will do my upmost to prove a kind and faithful husband to her, 
	I am a Protestant, which may be to you a serious objection, but I understand what the rules 
[pg 3]
of your Church are in such cases, and I am ready to promise all that is required, 
	I am a Superintendent in the Northwest Mounted Police, and a soldier by profession, of good standing in the Corps, and have held important posts in the interest of the Govt.
	I naturally feel much diffidence in saying even what I have just stated and must leave to others 
[pg 4]
any [remarks?] with reference to any merits I may or may not possess. 
	Hoping to receive your favorable consideration of this, to me, all important matter, and that you will kindly favor me with an early reply – 
I am Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
S B Steele
Macleod N.W.Ty
[envelope]
Robert Harwood Esqr.
Vaudreuil
P. Quebec
		Canada
5. 2  Robert Harwood to his future son-in-law, Sam Steele
(EC 2) 2008.1.1.1.1.1
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/1/1/1

11th Dec/88 									[pg 1]
Major S.B. Steele

	Dear Sir
	In answer to your letter handed to me by my daughter Maye, I give my consent relying on her good judgement in choosing her companion for life. I may tell you that she has been an ever obedient, loving daughter to father and mother. Therefore she should be a faithful loving wife. She reached us safe and sound. 
		
Your truly
		R. Harwood
		Vaudreuil
		[Quebec]

5.3   Congratulations to Marie from her Grandmother 
S&M EC 6 (2008.2.1.1.3.1)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/1/2/27

San Francisco Jan 8th 1889
[pg1]
	My dear Maye,

	Your long looked for letter reached me on the 8th it takes about nine days to get over here. I am quite delighted to hear of your engagement to Major Steele   from my heart I wish you all happiness,   you are getting a highly honorable man one that Everyone thinks highly of.   I am glad I took you out with me,   you were too nice a girl to put on the shelf with the old maids and will make him a good wife, 
when you meet your fate you have to go,   of course it’s far away from your Father & Mother but what of that [?]  they cannot expect to have all their sons & daughters settle around them.  And as you say you can come and visit them at times and Everyone must have something to say in the matter and you cannot listen to them all. 
Do not be killing yourself over your trousseau as [Lesley?] did sewing all day long and injuring her health. It seems to me Louisa is putting of[f] her marriage to an indefinite period,   it would be less expensive if you were both married at the same time, as Trousseau & wedding feats are expensive that is if you ask the whole parish. 
Thanks your dear Mother for her kind remembrance & the Christmas Card I have it ornamenting my room. I think you will have to put in the stops yourself as I have not time to read this over.  I hope you will find a little time to write me again as your Ma is always so busy I cannot ask her, but will be delighted to hear from her.  Give my love to … all the dear ones at home. 
[W]ith loving wishes from the Doc & myself  that you all may have many happy New Years
			is the heartfelt wish
			of your little grandma
			E{liza} Macgillis

5.4  Sam Steele letter to his fiancée, Marie Harwood, 18 July 1889
(EC 5) 2008.2.1.1.1.76
[pg 1]
Macleod
18th July 1889

My own Sweet Maye,
	Your sweet letter of the 9th has just been received and eagerly read over Oh my little pet what a darling you are to write such nice sweet words and how little I deserve such fond love as you lavish on me my pet. I have also the sweet little present and the [scenes?]. I shall always treasure them. I have no [trouble?] in finding you my pet and you do not appear to a disadvantage you have the same nice carriage as ever my pet. I could tell what you are like even if I had not met you my dear one. I am hurrying up to drop you a line because 
2

I had sent a team to meet the Commissioner and he will be here shortly after dinner, I will, therefore have no time for my darling unless I take it by “the forelock,” I am so happy to hear that you were well when you wrote and no prospect of any further illness my pet, I was very anxious about you last mail, and felt a sort of dread lest something had happened my darling, but I am now a happy man and quite changed – you would not have known me this afternoon and now, I have changed so much with the recipt [sic] of “glad tidings,” It would be indeed strange if my pet had lost the warm place in my heart and well she knew she had not. I am so sorry you worried yourself about my reception of the letter my pet,
	My own darling if you only knew how it is you would not worry yourself about any feelings of love for they are too strong to change. 

3

However my sweet one it is perhaps as well that it happened as it shews us to one another in our true light - and thus how much we love one another my dear If we are not happy it will be indeed strange, When we love one another so much and have such faith in the truth of the object of our affection, I am dear Maye passionately and madly in love with you. It [never] can change my pet, no matter what happens. I quite agree with what you say about the effect which a chance word has upon ones [affection?], my dearest Maye and hope that there will be no more I know you do not mean to hurt my feelings my pet, and therefore feel no such anger as you imagine I am not capable of anger against you my darling only sorrow can I feel, and I know you do not wish 

4

me to feel that my own sweet pet. The [scenes?] you have sent are very pretty, and you have the same haughty bearing, much more so than the other ladies whoever they are. I will treasure them my dear so you will find them the same when you come up with me my dear, I do not wonder at your fondness for the locality for it is really pretty, You say you do not look sweet, I quite disagree with you dear, you look very sweet and dignified, Mrs Mac says she has answered your letter and does not expect one from you just yet. It is quite nice that the elopement has been so nicely settled, and that the young couple have enough to live upon. I saw the printed [extract?] of which you spoke Mrs Mac shewed it to me as requested by my pet. I find your 
5
sweet lines very pretty indeed. 
I am so glad that you have got to know me better. What are the fancies that have become facts my sweet one? You will find it pleasant to have your brother home … I have commenced Yolande. It is a nice story and very like the usual style of the author – I commenced it once before but by some chance was interrupted and got no further - I do not like the colour of the heroines hair for one thing, I will welcome the books as they come my dear one, you are so kind to send them to me? ….

6

I thought that something was wrong or would go wrong when I had the dreams, I could not make out why I had them, and expected developments of same kind my pet. …, I know you never could play fast and loose with me my dear you are too true for that You are in my eyes … the acme of all that is good and true, you are my angel who will always be a bright star to me while I have my pet, You dear little pet! 

7

You will not require … to make me less [sour?] my dear. I will always be as pleasant as possible my pet. …
8

… I will attend to the other ??? as soon as the Commissioner goes away and will have the house papered immediately, …[It] had to be made habitable, I am a poor creature when the ladies ask me for things I can refuse of course, but I am left to get into hot water on account of ??? ??? those ??? the same as other things, … Now my own darling I have some more work and must say good night. God bless you my own sweet Maye the darling of my heart, 
		Affectionately
 			      Sam

[envelope]
Miss Maye Harwood
 [c/o] Robert Harwood Esq
Vaudreuil 
P. Quebec,

5.5 Sam and Marie’s Wedding Picture and other Family Photos
a) 2008.1.1.5.3.1.2 Sam and Marie Steele's wedding portrait 
Sir Samuel Steele Fonds > Series 1 Personal Papers > 1.5 Photographs > 1.5.3 Photo albums > Family Photograph album
Date: Jan. 1890
b) 2008.1.1.5.1.5 Portrait of Marie Steele with her three children 
Sir Samuel Steele Fonds > Series 1 Personal Papers > 1.5 Photographs > 1.5.1 Family portraits
Date: Jul. 1901

5.6  Robert Harwood M.P. and Sam Steele’s father-in-law 
to P.M. John A.  Macdonald.  
Originals at Library and Archives Canada	
http://data2.archives.ca/e/e346/e008632215.jpg 
http://data2.archives.ca/e/e346/e008632216.jpg 
http://data2.archives.ca/e/e346/e008632217.jpg
[pg 1]
16th Dec./90

The Right Hon. Sir John A. MacDonald

Dear Sir
	The news that the Commissioner of the North West Mounted Police, intends resigning his position, gives me the occasion of writing you this letter. My son in law, Major S.B. Steele, superintendent of that force, has been in the force since its formation, 17 years. His conduct on every occasion has proved that he was the right man in the right place, à la hauteur des circonstances. 
Son of the late Capt Steele, of the english navy, who settled out in the County of Simcoe, 1832, he is 
[pg 2]
a gentleman and a soldier. His long service in the force at different stations should be a recommendation to that position. My dear Sir you would confer a great favour on your faithful political friend
		Your obedient
		R. Harwood Esq M.P. 
[pg 3]
R. Harwood
Vaudreuil 
on behalf of 
S.B. Steele for 
Commship
N.W.M.P.

5.7 P.M. John A. Macdonald’s reply to Robert Harwood, Sam Steele’s  
      father-in-law (EC 3) 2008.1.1.1.3.2 and the Sir Sam Steele Collection 
      website:  http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/1/3/2

[pg 1]
19 Dec 1890
R. Harwood, Esq.
Vaudreuil,
P.Q. 

My dear Harwood, 
	I have yours of the 16th inst. Your son-in-law Major Steele is a very good officer and stands well.

	I am not informed of [Commissioner] Herchmer’s alleged intention of resigning his position as Commissioner, but when a vacancy occurs I shall take care that your son-in-law’s merits receive
[pg 2]
full consideration.

		Yours faithfully.
		John A Macdonald
Earnscliffe,
Ottawa.
5.8   Risks for a Family When Crossing Rivers in the Spring  [@1896]
The next adventure with Macdonald and his team [of horses] was 
a few years later, when he drove my wife and myself south. 
The rivers had been at flood a short time previous to this, and 
with those mountain streams it is a common thing for the 
fords to disappear, and years afterwards for others to take their 
places. There are regular changes, the high water washing 
away the banks, one season on the right, the next on the left, 
the river gradually cutting down further and making the 
valley deeper. On this trip, as there was no sign of a change 
to the true ford, we drove in, to find in a few seconds that our 
horses were swimming boldly across as if it were their accus- 
tomed work. The waggon floated, but the box filled with 
water, and my wife and the two children had to get on top of 
the seat. Fortunately the waggon was the old sensible broad
gauge, the only one fit for fords and side hills, or it would have 
upset, and no doubt, in spite of all one could do, someone 
would have found a watery grave. As it was, it tipped now 
one way, now the other, as the wheels struck boulders, and
bumped along at a great rate. My wife showed no sign of
fear, and the children, of course, did not know what it all
meant. At last, by dint of good swimming by the team, we
were brought safely to land some hundreds of yards below, 
and were soon dry and comfortable in the quarters at Stand  
Off. 
Sam Steele, Forty Years in Canada, p. 274

5.9   Marie to Sam on his way to the Yukon Territory
(EC Sam and Marie 4a) 2008.1.1.1.1.96

Macleod, Feb 2nd 98.								        [pg1]
My own darling old Husband,
	Hearing that you are likely to be in Vancouver for some days I cannot resist writing you a few lines knowing they are sure of a hearty welcome. To tell you how much we all miss you every moment of the long day how much we would give for a sight of your dear face, would be simply impossible. I go about from room to room & see you everywhere & the uncertainty of your movements - & the length of your absence being unknown to me only tend to make my heart grieve more. One never knows the depth or the strength of loss until the loved one is far away then every action, look or word comes back vividly to one’s mind. I am not alone in my sorrow, as your little ones speak constantly about you. Gertrude kneels at my feet morning & evening & lisps her prayers for your safe return to us & when you did not come back with us on Saturday & she heard you had gone to the Yukon she wept bitterly poor little pet!  Flora misses you very much also, but being able to play out, comes to console herself to your absence,                                                    
[pg2]
more readily than the rest of us. You must keep me well posted as to all your movements & where you are going for I shall be anxious all the time I know. All here are already wishing you back & say they do not know how they will get on without you. Sergt Morris was telling me the Dr has had his tooth on him since Sunday – “he was afraid of the Major but now he will nag all the time”. Sergt Pattison “I never had the least idea of going to the Yukon, but if the Major does not come back soon I am going to try & join him – the square seems deserted without him.” They all come to [dislike] the idea of having the present O.C.[Commanding Officer] for any time. …
[pg3] 
…  Mr Casey came in to see if I needed anything & said to be sure & call 
on him at any time. Elmes comes & stays here every night. I really felt 
so downhearted & lonely that I thought it a good thing to do, for I have someone with me in the evening anyway. He was delighted & says it is doing him good for he got very little exercise – he is off in the morning at 7:15 & returns about eight p.m. He is a good kind fellow & seems pleased at the confidence I have in him. I hope you do not mind my doing so, for it is very nice to have him. I have not been able to eat one meal since your departure, but hope
[pg4]
to feel better soon. Every bite seems to choke me. … Dr Haultain gave a prescription to be used with the spray which could not be put up here, so I enclosed it in the same box. Be sure & have
[pg5]
it filled in as you may need it. I send you in the same parcel as [Skirving’s hat which the Sergt Major sends him by Thursday’s train. Your large cowboy hat & half dozen navy blue handkerchiefs which you may find very convenient when away. I could not mark them. I also send one of your flannel collars which was forgotten in the hurry of your departure. I hope the things will reach you safely & that you will not find the articles in the way!! 
“a big kiss to my darling Papa from his little Gertrude who misses him very much” – This message the little pet was eager to send you & I know it will please you. I am mailing you the private letters which have come since your departure, hoping they will reach you safely. I had to take the envelopes off, of course. Well my darling as the mail leaves early in the morning, I will have to stop.
 Baby [Harwood] has cut another tooth since you left & seems to be well. Flora is trying hard to be a good girl for your sake & hopes you will soon return to us. Write me as soon & as often as possible during your absence & be sure to take good care of yourself for my sake. With ever so much love from the little ones & myself.
				Your lonely, far away wifie
								      Maye

5. 10  Sam  to Marie - Missing her and asking for some supplies
(EC4) 2008.2.1.1.1.172
[pg 1]
North-West Mounted Police,
Lake Bennett [April] 3 1898

My darling Maye It is now one A.M., and I have been writing for hours, but I must not retire until I write to my own darling wife – 
2
…
I am much better to-day, and although hard worked feel it hurt me less, 

3
Mr Godson and his wife got here to-day, They mess [eat] with me as we have to feed the customs officials, She is a Canadian and a relation of Mrs Smith Tom McLeans daughter and has an immense 

4
amount of pluck, She left her children with her mother, two there are, and will stay for three months at least, She played out some fat Victoria men on the trail but the White Pass with its storms and blizzards 

5
and the kindness of our brave boys surprised her – She has a tent and messes in this Shack, She is about twenty five – 
	I was asked out to noonday meal by Peter [Armance?]

6
a French Canadian, married to a St John girl, a good, pretty, but not cultured woman, still, her heart is in the right place, and She gave us …. a nice dinner 
7
Macaulay of Orillia called and gave me a nice box of Cigars, He is a fine young man, Mr Willison who called on Easter, got home all right, Our men here are fine fellows, “Old Skinny” had done all he could to make me [comfortable?] and has put up 
8
Shelves, still I had lost my [flank?] bag your dear old valise, for six weeks but I have got it again and have a comb and brush without borrowing, I have no sponge – but Continue to get a small percentage of my usual bit 

9
of a douche, I have also met a good young doctor who has restored me with medicine for my atomizer which I had not for two months!! However I am all right and when 
10
you can afford it later on all I want is a lot of stationary to enable me to write to my dear wife –, two pairs of heavy Cavalry breeches – plenty of socks, a couple of suits of good heavy but fine 

11
underwear – and a soft grey cord coat and vest, but that is not now – I can get along for some months without it I would like a [service?] cup as well, Mr Casy, dear old chap, will give you the address of [Wilson?] our tailor 

12
in London, but do not worry about it dear, I have a heavy pair of breaches that I have not yet worn – and two good patrols, I hope you are well my own sweet pet and that by the time you get this things will look better – Love to the dear little ones 
13
Flora, Gertie, and “Dubbie”, Affectionate remembrances to Alice, Reggie + [Elmes?] Sweet kisses to you ??? and the babies from 
	Your loving and Sorrowful husband
		Sam

5. 11 Children’s Letters to their Absent Father
a)  Flora (9yrs.) and bo {Gertrude 5 or Harwood 3 yrs.] to Sam in 
     South Africa, 
“Will you come home Papa”
Boer War SAC EC 12 (2008.1.1.1.3.7.3)  
[pg 1]
“remember your
		“Flora”
		& your
			“Canada”
My dear papa
				Will you come home from South Africa & think of me. Come home as soon as you can, remember me & all of us.
							“Flora”
7 “May.”											[pg 2]
My dear    My dear    My dear papa
				do come home soon you darling
 and pet
				   bo
				    good bye

b)  Gertrude to Sam missing him and reporting break in
     S&M EC 13 (2008.1.1.1.1.267.1)  July 26 1907
[pg 1]
162 Hutchison St.
Dear Papa
	Thank you very much for your letter. I did’nt write to you before because I had nothing to tell you. We went to hear the band on Wednesday night, and it was lovely. A man played on the piccolo & on the bugle
[pg 2]
Mamma met Col Walker and Capt Bagley & she had a long talk with them both. A lot of children are going to have a bazaar and Harwood and [I] are in it. It is raining very hard to-day so we cannot go out. Last week a house
[pg 3]
down the street was broken into, and a police man was on gauard guard there. Now dear papa I must close with lots, lots of love & kisses
	I remain
		your loving little
			daughter
				Gertrude							[pg 4]

I have just found this letter written this morning so enclose it. They are off, playing with children on the other side of the street. The Bazaar in question is one of their own & the dreams of the amount realized are very grand, I assure you. It is to be of course that so many wonderful plans are formed that never materialize! it keeps them busy, that is all.
	In haste,
		Maye

c) Gertrude to Sam – Asking if he will attend her concert
S&M EC 13 (2008.1.1.1.1.355.3)  Gertrude April 28 1909
[pg 1]
1513, 1st West
Calgary
Alberta

My own dear Papa,
	I received your very welcome letter yesterday, and as Mamma is writing you I thought I would do so as well.
	We are all very lonely for you, but as you said in your last letter to Mamma, you will be with us soon again. There is to be a big concert at the hall given by the convent girls. It is to last two nights. I am in a drill. It is a very pretty one
[pg 2]
and is done with tinsel. I wonder if you will be here for it. But perhaps it will be after you have gone. …
	This is not very good writing but my pen is scratching dreadfully.
	Mamma was at a bridge party last night and had a very nice time.
[pg 3]
I am getting on very well with my music, and hope that I will be a good musician some day. Now dear Papa, as I have no more news, I will close, with lots of love and kisses,
			I remain
				your loving
					little Gerty
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

d) Harwood to Sam re fires in Calgary 1909
S&M EC 13 (2008.1.1.1.1.355.2) Harwood April 28 1909
1513 1st St. W.

Calgary,
Alta.
	Dear Papa,
		there have been two fires in Calgary recently. I do not know much about them, except that one’s damage is estimated at one thousand, and some odd.
There has been a very bad blizzard with the snow three feet deep, to-day, and the wind has been pierceing!
	Our spouting merry-go-round is starting to revolve, and the music is striking up.
        This is all my news, as Mamma and Gertrude can tell you more than I.
			Your affectionate
				Harwood

5. 12 Sam’s 3 letters to Flora, his eldest child, on her education

a) Study German and don’t be “too democratic or
       promiscuous” socially
EC S&M 10  (2008.3.1.1.1.31) July 20 1907
[pg1]
Miss Torla Steele
	162 Hutchison St
	Montreal
	P. Quebec

20th July. 07.

My darling; Torla,
	I got your dear letter and was greatly pleased dear to get it. I am here at the Belcher wedding and met your aunt Minnie who is now there and says so many nice things of you my dear. We were all great [swells?]. I had my [best] clothes on. My nices[t] suit, and
[pg2]
I looked well. There was a large congregation. It was in the Presbyterian Church. The service was impressive in the extreme. I had no idea it was so fine in the Presbyterian Church. I have just signed the lease of a house and will have it from the 1st of August. If you prefer that you should learn German do so dear. Your dear Mamma will arrange. I am glad you are not too democratic. It is good to be careful not to mix in too promiscuous society
[pg3]
but at the same time to be polite to all ranks and classes of society. I am glad you have met many old friends. It is always so when one is so far away. One loses touch.
	Be sure and keep up your Scotch music and dancing – as well as the jigs and horn pipes. Love to you all dear. God bless you.
	Ever your loving papa
Hotel Alberta
Calgary, Alberta

b)  Sam to daughter, Flora, on education and religious hatred
S&M EC 10 (2008.3.1.1.1.32) July 28 1907

28th July, 1907								[pg1]
Miss Torla Steele
	162 Hutchison St
	Montreal
Canada

My darling Flora,
	Your kind letter came today and is before me. Many thanks dear. I am glad that you stuck up for the poor Masons. You are right dear, if all were as free from hating Catholics or of hating anyone else as the reason this would be a very happy world. Many good Catholics are Masons and are
[pg2]
known to you and your dear mother and grandmother as they do not blow their own trumpet, I was at church today and dined at the Johnstons and had five o’clock tea there. Miss Shortleff like yourself a native of the S. west, was there her name is Jarvis a favourite name in the west at one time. ... It is the Cree word for “my child” . …
[pg3]
Your papa is very lonely now he had a long separation from his dear ones before and does not like it, but you must all be good children and do what your dear mamma wishes re school. She is the best judge, there is no one in the world [better?] nor kinder than your poor dear mamma and you must also remember how near you were to losing her, poor dear that she is & kind little mother,
I hope you are all well dear, give my love to your dear mamma.
[pg4]
[&] your good kind grandmama and Gerty, Harwood, your uncles and aunts -- God bless you dear.
	                 Your loving papa
	Calgary Alberta

     

c)  Sam to Flora, on having discipline and preparing for higher education
S&M EC 10 (2008.3.1.1.1.33)  August 1 1907

P.O. Box 2086    Calgary. Alberta.
			1st August. 07

My darling Flora,
	I was pleased to get your letter along with that of your poor dear mamma and to know that both you and Gertrude have decided to [be] reasonable and go to the academy to study and prepare for higher, I hope you will be satisfied with the discipline and write me often my pet. Your tooth requires attention so that it is important that you should stay within call of your good uncle Frank! I am very busy dear today so will write no more at present.
	God bless you dear. Love to you all.
		from loving Father

5. 13  Report Card of Flora Steele, age 18, in her last year of  high school
 S&M EC 9 (2008.1.1.1.2.194.1)

Havergal College
Report
FOR TERM ENDING Christmas 1909                         Form Upper V
NAME Flora Steele
POSITION	REMARKS	
SUBJECTS	Number of Girls in form	Rank	standing in form : fifth	
Algebra				
Arithmetic			A difficult subject but has worked well.                   CSA	
Botany				
Bookkeeping				
Cooking				
Dancing				
Dictation	10	1	Good. a keen & interested worker.                          I.A.	
{Drawing	5	2	Has worked well.                 ?	
{Drill Painting			Shows ability and neat execution.                            ?	
English Composition	18	1	Very good. Shows originality and insight                           ?	
English Grammar	13	10	Home-work excellent = ground-work not very good. M.C.	
English Literature	13	2	Very good. Intelligent work which shows judgment and appreciation of good passages.                     S.A.I.	
Euclid				
French	19	12	Very satisfactory.            M.S.	
French Conversation				
Geography				
German	8	8	Is working well. I expect her soon to take a much higher position.                          M.S.	
Gymnastics				
Harmony				
History           {English
                   {Canadian	19

19	6

2	Good. A good grasp of cause & effect with a good memory for detail.                              ?
Very good. Interested in her work.                           a.m.m.	
Latin				
Music			Good.                  E.S.	
Reading				
Science				
Scripture				
Shorthand				
Singing				
Sewing				
Spelling				
Writing			Neat.                    Ml	
Conduct in       School	Very good. An excellent first term.	
House				
			Eva L. Jones	

Number of Times Absent 4½ half-days     Late —   Refused Lessons —
Mistress of Form:  Maud Chisholm			Bad Conduct Marks —
This School will Re-open on January 10th

Continuity and Change
 	
A) Courtship and Marriage
1. Marie Lotbiniere Harwood came to Fort Macleod with her Grandmother
to visit her Aunt in the summer of 1888.  After meeting, falling in love, and agreeing that they would like to marry, how did Sam and Marie arrange their marriage?   

2. What qualities did Sam Steele possess that might have favourably 
    impressed Marie’s parents? 

3. What issues did Sam Steele raise in his letter to Marie’s father and what
    did he promise?

4. What evidence is there that Marie’s father, Robert Harwood, considered
     Marie’s wishes in his reaction?

5. What qualities of Marie did Robert Harwood mention when giving his 
     consent to marrying Sam Steele? 

6. What objections to the marriage by Marie’s parents did Marie’s
Grandmother, Eliza Macgillis, mention in her letter to Marie and what was her advice to Marie?

7. What advice did Grandmother Macgillis have on the issue of the cost 
     for the wedding?  What is a “trousseau”?

8. Based on the letters between Sam and Marie from 1889 and 1898, what 
     Evidence is there that the couple were truly in love? 

9.  How do the courtship and marriage customs of Sam and Marie, and
     Marie’s family, compare with the customs in your family and your
     community?  What things are similar and what things are different?

Issues that arise	For  Sam and Marie	For people in your family or community 	
Religion(s)
	A Protestant & Anglican
 & a Roman Catholic		
Language(s) spoken
	Sam had learned some French; Marie was bilingual		
Occupations of the groom and the bride	Superintendent of NWMP with 16 yrs. service; eldest daughter and educated as a lady		
Income

	Sam was reasonably paid as Superintendent of NWMP but had made some poor business investments; Marie’s income if any is unknown		
Where the newlyweds plan to live	They met in the Alberta District of the North West Territories and Sam was a member of the NWMP; this was a long way from Montreal and Marie’s family 		
Age differences between the partners	40 and 29 when they met; 42 and 30 when they married		
Attitudes of parents and other relatives	Sam’s parents had died in 1850 and 1865; Marie’s parents consented and admired Steele		

a) What customs are similar?

b) What customs are different?

c) To what degree are marriage customs changing in Canada generally?

Continuity and Change
B) Coping with a Parent who travels for work and was away from home 

1. Without telephones, let alone cell phones or the internet, how did Sam
    and Marie handle their frequent absences and separations?

2. What strategies did Marie use to give her a greater sense of security 
    when she was left at home with 3 young children?  Why is it likely that 
    Sam approved of this strategy?  

3. What other strategies could women use in those days to handle 
    parenting children on their own?

4. What evidence is there that Sam’s children, Flora, Gertrude and 
    Harwood, loved and missed their father?

Continuity and Change
C) Education

1. What advice did Sam give to Flora, his oldest child, about her education 
    in these 3 letters ?

2. How does this compare with the advice parents give to their children 
    today?
3. How did Flora do in the last year of high school (5th form) at Havergal
    College in her Christmas Report Card?

4. Compare the courses that Flora took in school with the courses that you
    take in school.  

5. Compare the courses offered at your local high school with the ones 
offered to flora at Havergal College.  Ask your school guidance   counsellor, classroom teacher, or an older sibling, relative or friend.  

6. Compare your Report Card with Flora’s to see what information is
    reported to Mr. and Mrs. Steele and to your parents or guardians.  
    
a) How have report cards changed and how have they stayed the same?
    What things on the 1909 report card have been dropped from todays
     report card and what new items have been added to today’s report 
     card?

b) What does this tell us about the values of schools and parents?

c) A Checklist to Compare Report Cards in 1909 and Today

Reporting	In 1909	Today	
Subjects offered			
Number of Subjects taken by a student			
Marks: letter grade or percentage out of 100			
Number of students in each subject class			
Child’s rank in the subject (1 is first in class)			
Teacher comments on subjects			
Attendance: days absent
			
Attendance: times late
			
Conduct
			
Bad Conduct Marks