BATTLE OF BATOCHE (5A)
LIBERATION MOVEMENT (END)
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Xavier Letendre made many trips between Batoche and Winnipeg. On one trip to Fort Garry, he bought one hundred ox-carts, which he sold along the way home, at Portage-la-Prairie, Ile-a-la Crosse, Fort Carlton, etc. The unsold ones he stored at home to sell to new settlers in the district. Letendre's property at this time (1884) was valued at $70.000.
When the rebellion broke out in 1995, Xavier Letendre, wisely and prudently kept himself in the background and took no active part in it. His brother André, whose name is engraved on a memorial plaque in the Batoche cemetery, was killed in action. Some store owners, Jean-Baptiste Boyer and Champagne and Solomon Venne fled to Fort Qu'Appelle. It was a case of "save yhourself if you can" Many families excaped under cover. For others, it was exile and confusion.
We had dinner at Xavier Letendre's home. Today he is a poor man, his fine prosperous store fell into the hands of the rebels: his stately and charming home served as a fortress and is riddled with bullet holes. The foundation is still solid, but the doors, windows, partitions, floors all is completely ruined. His rich furnitaure and valuable holding have disappeared. He assured me that his loss is $40,000"
This description gives us a picture and says no much, Xavier had become a poor man! However Letendre restored his home and store. The Gareau brothers worked all winter (1885-1886). By spring time 1886, the population of Batoche was greatly decreased, reduced to poverty, discouraged, hard-pressed by hunger and misery, many of the villagers left to start a new life elsewhere on their own, or with relatives and friends. Many were still in prison, others simply disappeared. Those who remained were poverty stricken. The next year, there was no money, it was a year of drought. then came the depression, the grasshoppers and scarcity of food. "War brings famine in its train."
Xavier Letendre who should not have rebuilt, left to build up a ranch between Alvina and Prud'homme where hethen loved. He sold his store to the Police who were establishec at Batoche since 1885. In 1906 a farmer from Fish Creek bought the former reisdence. He demolished it and used the lumber to build a home.
Marie Hallet, Xavier's mother, a vigorous, strong woman, liverd to be 98 years of age. Louis Letendre, his brother, died in this eighties in 1901.
Xavier made his "will" in 1901. He bequested sufficiently to his mother and children and disposed of the remainder to pay his debts. He died the same year at the age of 60.
Father Vegreville, o.m.i. wrote to Bishop Grandin, these words which could be used as an épitaph for Xavier Letendre. "Good and sincere Métis"
Marguerite, his wife died at St, Louis in the house now occupied by Ernest Laplante. She was 94 years old. Her daughter, Hélène, who married Charles-Eugène Boucher, took care of her mother until her death in 1937. Josette Letendre, wife of Albert Pilon was an aunt to Mrs. Stella Parenteau of St..Louis.
In conclusion, let us consider what could have happed if the Métis would have won instead of lost the war in 1885. One author says: "Today Batoche, so well-situated, could have become the "Gateway to the North" and Prince Albert would be a small village. "What do you think?"
ref: History of S.Louis and surrounding area, (SK) - page6-8
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