Under threat of warfare Fort Edmonton

fort edmonton, near new legislature building, 1914.

the spring of 1870 saw fort edmonton come under threat of violence due war between blackfoot , cree, resulting slaying of cree chief maskipiton. blackfoot unable ford north saskatchewan due high spring waters, encamped across fort edmonton , harassed muskets nonetheless. wagons full of goods had abandoned traders in hurry reach safety inside of fort, , contents spoiled blackfoot. though fort not invaded, men within armed , ready fight. chief factor william j. christie chose withstand blackfoot , not attack them, fearing invite further violence against hudson s bay company.

fifteen years later, on march 19, 1885, during north west rebellion, edmonton s telegraph wire cut. fearing imminent attack, settlers took shelter behind fort s old wooden palisade. no attack happened.