G. C. King- Constable George Clift King "F Troop" Northwest Mounted
Police was the first man to cross the river and set foot on what later
became Calgary. For many years he enjoyed the title of "Calgary’s first
citizen" In later years he recalled the march west with all its
hardships as a great experience. " It was only the splendid
organization behind it that was responsible for it's completion" he
said. He choose to play down the shortage of rations, the filthy alkali
drinking water, the ravages of September snows, and the shortcoming of
the only fuel ( buffalo chips) that would not burn when wet. These
things were all part of the great adventure.

King stayed with the NWMP till his term was up in 1877. After his
discharge he was appointed manager of I.G.Baker & Co. store located on
the site of the old general hospital on Twelfth Avenue E.

King met and married Louise Munroe the daughter of Felix Munroe on
November 16,1879. The wedding reception -a celebration supper and dance
was attended by Sam Livingston, "Bob Flecher, Captain Denny "Sandy"
Gilmour, Jim Barwis, George Emmerson, John Glenn, Tom lynch, Angus
Fraser, and many of the nearby ranchers, and of course all of the NWMP
that could get away that day. The supper prepared by the bride,
consisted of buffalo meat, pie, and cake. The rest of the night was
spent square dancing.

Their first home was a lean-to off the store. They had a kitchen,
living room, and a bedroom heated by a wood-box stove, they were quite
comfortable.

In 1883 King went into business for himself as a general merchant. He had
a wide variety of goods-groceries, clothing, drugs, stationery and
tobacco. In 1885 he accepted the position of Postmaster for the town
of Calgary. He held this position for thirty-six years. King also served
as Calgary's second mayor, from 1886 to 1887. During this time he had
the opportunity of welcoming Sir John A. and Lady MacDonald, passengers
on the first transcontinental passenger train to reach the young
frontier town.

King was here to see the development of Calgary into a dominant city.
He saw it's raw natural beauty, he knew its people. He knew it as home.

To this point you have met a few of the men that made us what we are.
There were others such as Joseph Butlin, who operated one of the first
sandstone quarries in the area: the was Tim Dunne on the east side who


who produced Calgary's first theatrical production; there was S. J.
Clark, was served on the first town council and ran the meeting from
his saloon.. There was also James Walker who supplied the lumber
for the houses and the bridges that helped Calgary grow and prosper. It
this point I would like to thank Bert Farmer who comes to the nursing
home where I work for his stories and for originally giving me the book Cowtown An Early Album by Tom Ward.