BATTLE OF BATOCHE (4A)
BATOCHE BEFORE THE REBELLION OF 1885
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The story of Xavier Letendre dit "Batoche" gives us a good idea of that Batoche was like prior to the Rebellion. This is how the elders tell the story of Xavier Letendre known as "Batoche" . The information does notcome from the Archives but it springs from the hearts of people whoheard it from their ancestors the pioneers. They tell it in their own way.
Xavier Letendre dit "Batoche" was a genial, good humoured, handsome fellow... a fair sample of his class. He was a rich Metis who settled at Batoche in 1870.
"Batoche" (1841-1901) married Marguerite Parenteau (1843-1937). She was a sincere and woman who never gave up.... a credit to the endurance of her sex. She was the daughterof Pierre Parenterau and Josephte Delorme.
"Batoche" and Marguerite had fifteen children. We'll mention only those whose name are familiar to the inhabitants of this area. Jean married Rosalie Dumont, Florestine (Bruno Venne) Josette (Albert Pilon); Azarie (Elmire Parenteau; Marie (Emmanuel Champagne).
François Xavier Letendre and his wife married at Batoche, accompanied by the two Gareau brother -- one was a carpenter, the other a brick-layer. Charles Chamberland, a Canadian painter and a Mr. Champagne.
Getting lumber from Troy (Qu'Appelle, from Winnipeg and St-Paul, Xavier built a larte 2 1/2 storied house with a gallery supported by pillars. Hishouse was the "Wonder of the Prairies", a real palace. He also built a large store with a dwelling place above it; two good zied sheds, a black-smith shop living quarters for the police and a liquor store. In his "Belle Maison" were five bedrooms. Xavier received and welcome visitors -- he knew how to receive! When Lorne, the Governor General of Canada visited the West, he was received by Letendre; what a stately reception! His home was the gathering place of the district. Children came for their catechism lessons; all important meetings took place here. People gathered for social evenings, music, singing, folklore, etc.
For his store, Xavier imported merchandise fsrom France and England: velvets, silk, high hats, fine shoes, leather gloves, ribbons, perfunes. etc. He bought many articles of luxury for his wife: capets. curtains, a piano, paintings from France, cupboards decorated with marble. Gabriel Dumont obtained from Xavier a billard table and asewing machine operated by the foo.
Between 1881-1884, a building Committll, including Xavier and Gabriel Dumont built a church and a rectory: meanwhile Father Valentin Végreville, o.m.i. lived with Xavier Letendre.
Xavier and his sister Martie, were sponsors for the church bell and named it Marie Antoinette. When the bell was removed during the Uprising, the same couple Mr. and Mrs. Letendre, bought a new and better one and named it Marie Alberta Julianna. Between 1880-1884, besides the buildings belonging to Xavier, there were two other large stores. Champagne and Boyer. With the homes of fifty families Batoche was quite notable and prosperous village. Among others living in the hamlet were Isidore and Jean Dumont, Moise Ouellette, Joseph (Dodé) Parenteau, Cuthbert Fayamt. Cuthbert Gervais and Gilbert Breland.
re : History of St-Louis and surrounhding area, SK - page 5-6
The story of Xavier Letendre dit "Batoche" gives us a good idea of that Batoche was like prior to the Rebellion. This is how the elders tell the story of Xavier Letendre known as "Batoche" . The information does notcome from the Archives but it springs from the hearts of people whoheard it from their ancestors the pioneers. They tell it in their own way.
Xavier Letendre dit "Batoche" was a genial, good humoured, handsome fellow... a fair sample of his class. He was a rich Metis who settled at Batoche in 1870.
"Batoche" (1841-1901) married Marguerite Parenteau (1843-1937). She was a sincere and woman who never gave up.... a credit to the endurance of her sex. She was the daughterof Pierre Parenterau and Josephte Delorme.
"Batoche" and Marguerite had fifteen children. We'll mention only those whose name are familiar to the inhabitants of this area. Jean married Rosalie Dumont, Florestine (Bruno Venne) Josette (Albert Pilon); Azarie (Elmire Parenteau; Marie (Emmanuel Champagne).
François Xavier Letendre and his wife married at Batoche, accompanied by the two Gareau brother -- one was a carpenter, the other a brick-layer. Charles Chamberland, a Canadian painter and a Mr. Champagne.
Getting lumber from Troy (Qu'Appelle, from Winnipeg and St-Paul, Xavier built a larte 2 1/2 storied house with a gallery supported by pillars. Hishouse was the "Wonder of the Prairies", a real palace. He also built a large store with a dwelling place above it; two good zied sheds, a black-smith shop living quarters for the police and a liquor store. In his "Belle Maison" were five bedrooms. Xavier received and welcome visitors -- he knew how to receive! When Lorne, the Governor General of Canada visited the West, he was received by Letendre; what a stately reception! His home was the gathering place of the district. Children came for their catechism lessons; all important meetings took place here. People gathered for social evenings, music, singing, folklore, etc.
For his store, Xavier imported merchandise fsrom France and England: velvets, silk, high hats, fine shoes, leather gloves, ribbons, perfunes. etc. He bought many articles of luxury for his wife: capets. curtains, a piano, paintings from France, cupboards decorated with marble. Gabriel Dumont obtained from Xavier a billard table and asewing machine operated by the foo.
Between 1881-1884, a building Committll, including Xavier and Gabriel Dumont built a church and a rectory: meanwhile Father Valentin Végreville, o.m.i. lived with Xavier Letendre.
Xavier and his sister Martie, were sponsors for the church bell and named it Marie Antoinette. When the bell was removed during the Uprising, the same couple Mr. and Mrs. Letendre, bought a new and better one and named it Marie Alberta Julianna. Between 1880-1884, besides the buildings belonging to Xavier, there were two other large stores. Champagne and Boyer. With the homes of fifty families Batoche was quite notable and prosperous village. Among others living in the hamlet were Isidore and Jean Dumont, Moise Ouellette, Joseph (Dodé) Parenteau, Cuthbert Fayamt. Cuthbert Gervais and Gilbert Breland.
re : History of St-Louis and surrounhding area, SK - page 5-6
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