Dearest Mother: Appendix 2 – Laurence Long’s Account of Eliza Desmarais.

Eliza Demerais [sic] was born and educated in Westbourne, Manitoba in 1862. She married Michael Scheer in Carrot River and resided in Prince Albert until 1884, at which time she joined her husband in Fort Macleod, arriving in September of that year.

Eliza Scheer, on receiving word from her husband to join him in the established Fort Macleod, contracted some Cree Indians to take her and her small family as far as Medicine Hat. This they did, moving her and her children and possessions in Red River Carts.

On arriving in Medicine Hat, she contacted Jim Blanchard, who operated the stage line between the Hat and Coal Banks (Lethbridge). At Coal Banks she transferred to the Fort Macleod Stage and arrived in Fort Macleod in September, 1884.

Mrs. Scheer, for many years, performed duties as a practical nurse and mid-wife and despite raising a large family, never turned down a request for assistance. For years she accompanied the N.W.M.P. doctors and old Dr. Kennedy Sr. on their trips and assisted in the birth of many district citizens.

For many years she operated a boarding house across the old customs House …later named the Alberta Boarding House.

This was a popular stopping place for many of the settlers arriving and included names as the Hunter Brothers, the Brattons, Johnny Franklin, Kootenai Brown, Father Lacombe, and many others.

Father Lacombe was instrumental in having the two Scheer girls, Mary and Margaret, admitted to the Hochelaga Convent in Montreal, where they finished their schooling, learning to speak and write French fluently, to the delight of their father. They were taught piano and needlework as well.

Father Lacombe was godfather to both these girls and Arthur Scheer, for years, served as an altar boy under him.

Michael and Eliza Scheer raised a large family. Those surviving were Arthur, Margaret, Mary, Alfred, George and Wilbert. Nancy, John and Michael were deceased in infancy.

Mrs. Eliza Scheer survived her husband and died on February 11, 1937 at the home of her daughter Mary (Mrs A.V. Nash) after a lengthy illness.

Laurence Long, in Fort Macleod: Our Colourful Past.