Father Lacombe and the CPR

There are many books written about the history of the Canadian Pacific. A number of those are in Peter's own personal library. In numerous of these sources of information we have found a reoccuring story which we find interesting.

As you know, our not so sleepy little town was named after Father Albert Lacombe, missionary to the Cree Indian in the western plains. Even though Father Lacombe did not actually spend much time here, he was well known by any travelling from Calgary to Edmonton. Originally our town had a number of names. Names like Barnetts's Landing (after the founding family), Siding 12, and another possibility was Almonte - after the original home to the majority of the new residents at the time. The name Lacombe though was chosen by the CPR in honor of the "black robed" missionary.



Father Lacombe

Father Lacombe was instrumental in keeping peace between the Cree and the Canadian Pacific as the railway pushed it's way across the continent. One day Father Lacombe found himself in the presence of a group of men "who were binding Canada together with rails of steel". At the luncheon were men such as Donald Smith, William Van Horne, R. B. Angus, Count Hermann von Hohenlohe ("after whose estates in Germany the nearby station of Gleichen had recently been named") and the president of the CPR, George Stephen. They were gathered together in the president's car on the first train to arrive in Calgary, so there was lots of celebration and toasts to the occasion. Some sources say the president, somewhat weary of his occupation and the serious discussions around the table (or possibly from the excessive celebrating), resigned as president and bestowed upon Father Lacombe the position of president of what was then the largest corporation in Canada. Father Lacombe, being the good natured man he was, accepted the position and in returned nominated Mr. Stephen to the rectorship of St. Mary's parish in Calgary. Amid much laughter at the voting and acceptance of these new positions, Mr Stephen's only comment was "Poor souls of Calgary, I pity you!". Within the hour, the men resumed their former positions. None of this would be known today if someone within the confines of that railway car wouldn't have shared this with someone else to have it recorded someday in history books now available to us for our pleasure to read.



George Stephen


Many years ago, while camping in Jasper, we saw a restored train waiting in the townsite at the station with names on the passenger cars. Names of former presidents. Some we didn't recognize at the time, except one for sure was familiar. One car had the honor of being called "Lacombe". So along with names like Stephen, Van Horne and others that eventually did become president of the CPR, was one who was president for only one hour. Our little town shares it's name on a posh and luxurious tourist passenger car, only because a CPR president gave his position over to a travelling missionary who was well loved and respected by all.

(Some sources for this posting include "Father Lacombe, the Black-Robe Voyageur" by Katherine Hughes and "Lacombe, the First Century" published by the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce, 1982.)