The Grave of Canadian Cowboy Legend John Ware and wife Mildred Calgary

Рет қаралды 94

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Here we have my two KZbin friends Shaun and Marietta exploring Union Cemetery Calgary and discovering the grave headstone of famous Canadian cowboy John Ware and his wife Mildred.
John Ware, ex-slave from the south and for 25 years a rancher and cowhand in the West, owner of a thousand head of the finest range cattle on the Red Deer River, was killed today by a horse stumbling and falling on him, killing him instantly. Deceased was 60 years old and leaves a family. Ware was one of the most widely known ranchers in this district. He was famous as a roper and rider, and always won first money in any of the competitions he entered. He was a man of prodigious strength, and with apparent ease he could pick up an 18 months old steer and throw him ready for branding. Any person who has tried to throw a six months old steer will realize that this feat is no small one. Ware first came to Canada with Fred Stimson and the Bar U cattle. He was foreman of the large Macpherson horse ranch and later on of the Quorn Ranch on Sheep Creek. He started for himself on Sheep Creek and ran a ranch there for nine years removing to the Red Deer, where he has since lived.
In the spring of 1905, his wife Mildred died of pneumonia at the age of 37. John died five months after Mildred, leaving their children to be raised by their grandmother.
Despite being a master horseman, John was killed only months later when his horse tripped in a badger hole. The horse crushed its rider in the fall, breaking Ware's neck. His funeral was reported to be one of the largest held in the early days of Calgary.
John Ware was known for his superb horsemanship, astounding strength, generosity, sense of honour, and good nature. He was well respected and well-liked by all who knew him. His funeral in 1905 was the biggest that Calgary had seen.
Legacy
Like any other folk hero, there is a wide range of tales about his ability to eat, ride, and shoot, all of which contribute to the cowboy lore of the time. It is said that he was never tossed from a wild horse and that he popularized steer wrestling, which would then become a highlight of the Calgary Stampede. His story is that of a remarkable figure in history who helped to lay the foundations of the ranching industry in Western Canada and at the same time defied stereotypes. Ware became one of the most well-respected figures on the Albertan frontier and is still an important part of Alberta history.