| Title: | E. Cochrane, Canada to K. Finlay, Co. Down |
|---|---|
| ID | 649 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Cochrane, Ernest/10 |
| Year | 1897 |
| Sender | Cochrane, Ernest |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | provost sergeant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Calgary, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Finlay, Kate |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | uncle-niece? |
| Source | T 3504/1/12: Copied by Courtesy of Mr. A.D. Finlay |
| Archive | Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9103147 |
| Date | 27/03/1897 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by S.K., 21:01:1994. |
| Word Count | 1028 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | To: Katie [Finlay?] [Wellesdon, Holywood?] [County Down?] [Ireland?] From: Ernest Cochrane. N.W.M. [North West Mounted?] Police Barracks Calgary N.W.T. [North West Territories?] [Canada?] March 27th 97 [1897?] My Very dear Katie I was more than glad to get your affectionate letter & I prized it for you are the last of all I ever cared much for, And its a glimpse of good old times to see your hand writing. Now I am going to Tell you, the first thought I had when I read your letter How can it be that a Tender hearted girl, that writes so to a waif & stray like me, has not a home of her own & a man to worship her. It beats me - I cant understand it at all. I am truly glad that some gaiety & change comes into your life in the way of parties &c. I have got so used to Barrack life that I never think or wish for such things. When my day's duty gets done, I dont feel like doing anything but lie down & read & then go to bed. My Constant Companion is a little brown Retriever dog. named "the Pig". Dont judge him by this name. He is a very sedate little beggar & I only am all the world to him. I cant stir but he is at my heels. I must Tell #PAGE 2 you of rather a unpleasant surprise I got on the 24th of last month. I had a very bad character - an Indian named "Deer Foot" in the cells here. For 12 years he had been an outlaw from his Tribe, Want & a vicious life left him a wreck & for the 6 weeks I had him he did nothing but stay in his cell. He had tried suicide a couple of times & he took a lot of watching. This day I noticed him weaker than usual. But the Dr [Doctor?] thought nothing serious. I spoke to him sevral [several?] times & he [sneered?] as he generally was - sulky. About 4 in the afternoon I went into his cell & as he would not answer I lifted him up on his feet. I was looking into the face of a corpse - the man was dead! Gave me quite a turn And now I have to make a confession & I cant help looking upon it in a comical light. I have had a spell of 7 days in Hospital since I wrote last!! La Grippe visited the Barracks & quite a lot of us were down with it. Of course as it was a misfortune, I had to take it to keep up my reputation! I am all right now , but it left me weak for quite a time. My Knee gives way now & then, but it will be all right soon. I am not near as lame as I was. Now Katie darling we will bid good bye to the informities [infirmities?] of Scally & talk of something else. I am #PAGE 3 glad you saw Lily & her baby. I had to laugh & kept saying to myself - Lily with a baby! Do you know I have no recollection of her but as a child in short dresses. Her advice was good, for what is more dear to the [mild?] female than having her own way. I am sorry she looks thin & aged. If thats what would happen to you, take Punch's advice - Dont!! I have got to be a woeful "stay at home bird", tho the Barracks are almost in a fair sized Town, I never go out of the gate. I dont like the people. I was I was here in /89 [1889?] & had about as hard & unpleasant 10 months as I ever spent. It was liquor prohibition in those days & the Towns people were dead against me. But as I make but few friends this did not matter. Have you got a recent photograph? Do like a dear send me one. The Calgary ladies range from ugly to hideous. The one you sent some time ago, I dont like, its not nice enough looking. I know you have not changed from the Ballintoy days. Oh dear I'd like you here just for a day, [---?] I'd show the Calgarians what Irish girls are like. One of our men left me a few weeks ago, & I gave him a letter of introduction to John as he was going to Frisco [San Francisco?] I hope John wont take it as a liberty. Strange he did not write Xmas time, for I know you were his favourite. We have got a new Commanding #PAGE 4 Officer here now & the change is not relished. All the men in the Troop are young & they cant stand severe discipline & thats what it is now. To an old man like me it does not matter. It comes second nature. And now little woman I like you far too well to ever have you disappointed. You must not think I ever will be in the old country again. For there is not the remotest chance of it and dear you must not think I am ever downhearted The "mights of been" which come into ones head, dont stay long. I naturally make the best of everything that turns up. I have not a bad time of it & the friendship that I feel you have for me, is worth a great deal. I often am very thankful for the mercies I enjoy. In any time out here, I have seen a lot of trial & pain & misery in the people round me. And if for a few moments I feel a little "off Colour" I just say "how many Thousands are worse off than yourself" I know you will write when you can & the sun shines when I hear from you. Remember me to all at home & Lily & wish love for you My very dear & only friend believe me Yours affectionately Ernest Cochrane Rember [Remember?] the Photo!!! [ano?] Now You are to have no more #PAGE 5 headaches, or I will stop writing Nothing serious ever happens me. I want my letters to give you pleasure not pain E.C. |
