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Some of the People that lived at Kennis Creek and Riding Mountain in the 1870's and 1880's
by Walter Archibald (Baldy) Scott
Kennis
Kennis, a trapper and hunter did some fur trading.
Joe Mentuck, and Manesees
Mentuck and Manesees, were Native hunters and trappers.
Mrs. Joe Mentuck was a fine woman who looked after the sick and injured people and was also an excellent midwife.
Atkinson
Atkinson, a hunter and trapper, was married to a sister of Michel Cardinal. One of their daughters married a Johnstone. They had two sons, Henry and John (Chon Cholis).
Johnstone
When Johnstone died his wife married Kennis. Johnnie Johnstone and Henry worked for the Robert Campbell family for many years. Robert Campbell's diary shows Johnny Johnstone worked for him when he lived on the Merchiston Ranch. Johnny (Chon Cholis, as the Natives called him), married a girl who had come out from Scotland to work for Robert Campbell. He homesteaded along the east side of the Keeseekoowenin Reserve. Their children were Tom, Mary, Agnes, Johnnie, Maggie, George and Annie.
Jim Audy
Jim Audy did some fur trading at Lake Audy. He lived where Jackfish Creek flows into Lake Audy. This was a favourite camping spot. He was good for the Indians as it was good trapping. The trappers had to take furs a long way either to Fort Ellis or Manitoba House.
Jim Audy later took charge of the Hudson Bay Company Trading Post when it moved near the Village of Elphinstone.
Walter Traill and Robert Campbell
Walter Traill took charge of Riding Mountain House, when he completed the building and establishing of the Trading Post. Walter Traill had to leave Riding Mountain House when Robert Campbell called him to take charge of a large brigade of Red River Carts loaded with fine furs and Campbell's wife and children. The brigade was guided and escorted safely south to the USA Border by Indians of the Fort Pelly and Ellis area. The furs and Campbell Family arrived in St. Paul in due time without any trouble from Riel's henchmen.
