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The American Invasion

Joseph O. Wilcox from Raymond, Alberta and Adrian Cook from Cardston, Alberta. Mormon missionaries in central United States.
"...It is after coming to a district such as this is that one realizes fully the force of what is termed "the American Invasion." A few years ago and except for the (present) ranchers this district was uninhabited the grazing land of a few scattered herds of cattle, who disputed possession of it with the wolves, the coyotes and the jackrabbits.
Now the wilderness has been divided into homesteads for thrifty thousands from Utah, Idaho and Washington, identifying themselves in every way with the growth of the Canadian West, bringing with them their household goods preparing to become Canadians. As yet only the repatriated are citizens, the residence of the others not being long enough for the securing of citizen's rights, but in time the great majority will be naturalized.
These newcomers are of the class who take a healthy interest in their towns, their district and their new country, and accustomed as they have been to the intelligent exercise of the franchise in the land of their birth, they are anxious to become voters and to have a share in directing the affairs of the land of their adoption."

The Raymond Chronicle, 1903

See also:

[back] [First People and Settlers] [New Beginnings] [Adventurous Albertans]

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            For more on the history of settlement in Alberta, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.