Simon Fraser and the Roller-Coaster River

After

In 1809, Fraser returned to Fort George. In 1814, he travelled to Red River where he became involved in a violent incident between the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company . He went to trial for the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816, but was found not guilty.

In 1820, Fraser married Catherine MacDonell and they had nine children. At the age of 62, he served as a captain during the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837. He died a poor man on August 27, 1862. His wife died the next day.

Battle of Seven Oaks
Following a deadly encounter between the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company that resulted in many deaths, Lord Selkirk arrested the head of the North West Company and all the partners in the fort. In the years that followed, canoes were attacked at portages and forts were seized. In 1821, the two rivals agreed to join together under the Hudson's Bay Company. The battle for furs was over.

Exciting Reading
Fraser's trip down the river that now bears his name was one of the most dangerous and difficult ever. He kept a journal of his voyage. It is now kept in the Toronto Public Library. Three copies of the original journal exist.