The Telegraph: An Old Landmark Is Abandoned

The operation of the old Government telegraph line which ran from Qu'Appelle to Edmonton was discontinued on March 31, 1923. With the order from Ottawa, closing the line from further service, one of the oldest land marks in the West passed into history. The construction of the line was commenced in 1874, giving communication between the then great lone land of the West and civilization. The Humboldt station on the line was situated about seven miles south west of the present town of Humboldt. During the Riel Rebellion of 1885, General Middleton, in command of the Canadian troops, camped at the station on his march from Qu'Appelle to Batoche. At that time, about three miles north west of the telegraph station, a fort and supply depot was constructed replacing the original which had become unfit for use. Prior to 1904, the station had not had an agent for fifteen years, Mr. Macdonald looking after the line from Saskatoon. The development of railways throughout the country had gradually done away with its usefulness as practically the whole country was served by telegraph connected with the railways.

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