True and Fascinating Canadian History
Big Muddy Memorial
Southern Saskatchewan
by J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
The existence of an organized band of horse thieves caused the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.) to open a Detachment in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan. Geographically situated in the southern part of the province, the area essentially consisted of badlands and they became known as Big Muddy.
Run running was also popular since Saskatchewan was under prohibition. Also a number of smaller criminal gangs developed and carried on quite a bit of horse and cattle rustling. This necessitated the retention of the Big Muddy Detachment until 1930.
As settlements were gradually spreading and lawlessness was on the wane, at least on the Canadian side, the Big Muddy post became, in addition, a customs and animal quarantine outpost in 1908. At the time Customs Officers were also Veterinarians by trade.
In 1917 the Saskatchewan Provincial Police took over the post until 1920 when the NWMP again returned to deal with customs and border problems as these were federal matters. The Big Muddy Post was finally closed in 1928 but customs and animal quarantine remained until 1936.
The Marshall family, who owned the land the post was situated on, continued to keep the Big Muddy office until 1964.
I wish to express my thanks to Regina's Emil Knuth for all his help in the composiiton of this Memorial and for his photos.
