In spite of this indictment, Indian Affairs was still willing to have Clarke soldier on. However, the principal's failure to keep his promises about his drinking and his continuing sloppy administration led to his sacking in 1894. Significantly when Reed wrote the ex-principal privately to explain that the official's best efforts to protect his co-religionist did not avail because Clarke would not heed warning, he stressed financial mismanagement, abuse of alcohol, and alienation of the Indians. Against orders, Clarke had employed people without authorization, and he and some of his male subordinates 'have been most injudicious in your use of liquor.'

    Fortunately for both Natives and bureaucrats, the other industrial schools authorized in 1883 did not have as severe problems as Battleford. Nor did Ottawa allow its difficulties with the Anglicans to sour it on pursuit of its program of covering the west with industrial schools. In fact, industrial schools would soon spread beyond the prairies to British Columbia.

    The Qu'Appelle school under Father J. Hugonnard was not seriously disturbed by the Northwest Rebellion, but its principal for some years did have troubles with the Indian commissioner because of denominational friction and continuing resistance on some reserves.