The Lillooet cattle drive of 1876-1877

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Dear Sir C!

long time no see...

thanks very much for that bit of little known Canadian Cattle history!

how are things up north?

yhs
prof marvel

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

There were later drives to the Klondike. I have a small book KLONDIKE CATTLE DRIVE, by Norman Lee. I have a friend who knew Lee in person. 200 head of cattle set out from Clinton along the Telegraph Trail with a full classic western trail drive outfit. At Hazelton they sold their horses and excess kit and herded their cows Northward on foot. Horses were starving, but the cows did well! They reached Takla and loaded the cattles on pre-arranged barges on the lake. Ten minutes later they were wrecked in a sudden storm. The men survived but all cattle drowned. They salvaged 15 carcasses and sold them for enough money to take ship to Seattle. Other similar drives were successful. There was a depression at the time, so the gamble was perceived as justified.