The Arrival of the Homesteaders

Sarah: Narrator
Chase: Malcolm Millar
Ryan: William Jackson
Courtney: passenger

Sarah: Many people left England, Scotland and many parts of Europe to seek a better life. There was cheap land to be had in Canada. And so they came.

Chase, Ryan, Courtney: (Notes for the 3 to remember no real script) Talk about; how they hear there is cheap land in Canada, sell what they don't need and buy tickets to Canada. Go by ship. It is a long trip (6 weeks) bad food, water, sea sick and bored. Finally see land! Yeah!

Sarah: Now the real journey began. Many men made their way West by working for the railroad as it was being built it was hard work. William Jackson found water for the railroad along the way. He was there when they drove the last spike.

Chase, Ryan, Courtney: Talk about how they are going out West to get their land. Take jobs on the railroad. Ryan look for water. Chase hammer spikes and Courtney cook for the men. Ryan find water and Chase complain about how hard the work is. (Do this for a few minutes). Finally get to Calgary after all the weeks of working hard.

Sarah: People had to travel from Calgary to other areas to claim land. Some people like William Jackson, John Ware, Joseph Fisher, Malcolm Millar and many other families came to Millarville. They came by horse and wagon. It took 2 or 3 days depending on the weather. They could only bring what was needed. When they found their land, they had to build houses, plow fields and find food.

Chase, Ryan, Courtney: Get some supplies, buy some cattle and load your wagon on your way to Millarville where your land is. It is cold and snowy which makes the trip hard. Pretend you are cold and miserable. Finally reach the land. Now build your house out of sod and then build a log home. Ryan plow the fields, Chase cut the wood and hunt and Courtney cook, clean and look after the children.

Sarah: Along with hard work, the homesteaders had many social events. People traveled from far away in all kinds of weather for dances and sporting events at Ranchers Hall and other places around Millarville.

Chase, Ryan & Courtney: Come into the house at the end of the day and gather at the table. Decide to have a get together with family to meet some of their neighbors. Mention some names of people in the area (John Ware, Malcolm Millar, Joseph Fisher etc. Welcome the neighbors, dance and serve food.

Sarah: Even though the homesteaders had many hardships and problems they stayed and built communities, businesses, friendships and a great place to live. MILLARVILLE.