EP Ranch From Prince to Present

by Anita Mae Draper

Calgary Daily Herald Page 1, Jan 21, 1936, Calgary, Alberta

On January 21, 1936, the Calgary Daily Herald was filled with news about the death of King George V. Under the article titled, "Body to Lie in State at Westminster Hall", it reported that the British Parliament had met and swore allegiance to "His Majesty King Edward VIII, his heirs and successors, according to the law", and that "The new King came to London by airplane--the first British sovereign ever to fly..."

As you can see from another article in the bottom right of the same newspaper, the man we've been following in this series of posts is none other than our Edward Prince of Wales, owner of the Edward Prince (EP) Ranch in Alberta, Canada. This article continues on other pages with the history of Edward and his ranch, showing in detail his several visits and activities while in the area as well as his travels in Canada and the United States.

EP Ranch, Pekisko, Alberta, 1936. Calgary Daily Herald

King Edward started his reign showing his usual trait of going his own way. He broke tradition with the Royal Mint on British coinage, he spoke his opinion in political matters, and he publicly enjoyed affairs with married women, to name a few. Edward had met Wallis Simpson in 1930 in London while she was still married, and although their affair was news in the United States, the British dailies were quiet on the matter. 

Fort Belvedere, Surrey, England

On November 16, 1936, King Edward met with Prime Minister Baldwin and expressed his desire to marry Simpson once her divorce was finalized. Baldwin responded by saying that it was impossible because his subjects would consider it morally unacceptable by the Church of England which didn't support marriage after divorce if a spouse was sill living. Baldwin offered three options: give up the idea of marrying Simpson, marry anyway despite the opposition, or abdicate.

Edward chose love. 

On December 10, 1936, at Fort Belvedere, Edward's residence in Windsor Great Park, Surrey, and in the presence of his younger brothers, King Edward signed the document of his abdication. 

The next night, having reverted to the title and style of a prince, he gave a radio broadcast explaining that he couldn't fulfil his duties as monarch without the love and support of the woman he loved by his side, and that the "decision was mine and mine alone..."

Thereafter, he was named the Duke of Windsor and travelled to Austria where he awaited the arrival of his love whose divorce would not become final for several months in the future. On June 3, 1937, Edward married her in a private ceremony near Tours, France. 

Duke and Duchess of Windsor at EP Ranch, Pekisko, Alberta, 1941. Glenbow Archives

It wasn't until September 1941 when the EP Ranch received a visit from Edward, now the Duke, and Wallis, now the Duchess, of Windsor. The weather was cold and wet with lots of mud and swollen creeks. Edward, now Governor of the Bahamas, is said to have spent a happy time in relaxation, while it seemed that the Duchess was always cold and longed for warmer temps.

During their trip on Canadian soil, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police patrol escorted their every move. The photograph shows two Mounties and their highway patrol van from the High River detachment. 

Royal Canadian Mounted Police patrol escort for Prince of Wales, Pekisko area, Alberta, 1941

Due to wartime travel restrictions, it wasn't until 1950 when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor returned to the EP Ranch in Alberta. When questioned if the rumours about selling the EP Ranch were true, the duke responded, "indeed no, it's the only piece of property I've ever owned." 

Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Calgary, Alberta. Apr 11, 1950. Calgary Herald

Edward never returned to the EP Ranch. In 1962 the ranch was sold and blended with the adjoining larger D Ranch which assured that the property would stay intact and not cut up by developer's hands. Edward died on May 28, 1972 at his Paris home and his body was sent back to Britain for burial. Although the EP Ranch had been designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 2004, it fell into disrepair aided by torrential rains that flooded the homesite in 2013. 

Today, the ranch continues to operate as a working cattle operation, except with herefords and longhorns instead of the prince's original shorthorn stock. As a designated historic property, it is only opened to the public for special occasions, such as the 100th anniversary celebration in 2019 where a guided tour showcased the EP Ranch buildings and property. Restoration work is an ongoing project. 

Conservation of main ranch house, Oct 2015. Courtesy of Alberta's Historic Places

I hope you've enjoyed this series on the EP Ranch in Alberta, Canada. Check the following links for the rest of the posts in this series:

May 5th - Alberta's Edward Prince Ranch

June 5th - EP Ranch Royal Visit 1923

July 5th - Butter Prince of 1924

Aug 5th - EP Ranch Furnishings

Sep 5th - Movie Location EP Ranch

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Anita Mae Draper lives on the Canadian prairies where she uses her experience and love of history to enhance her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

The Swill Milk Scandal

Swill milk became a scandal in New York City during the late 1800s. An estimated 8,000 babies died from swill milk.

But what is “swill milk”? The residue mash left from the distilleries was fed to cows, and while the alcoholic mash contained nutrients, it was often tainted with disease. But it yielded cheap feed to make cheap milk. The milk was also thickened with starch and eggs and Plaster of Paris helped to make it white. Yuck!

Unfortunately, these corrupt dairies marketed the cheap milk as “Orange County Milk” or “pure country milk,” and the poor bought it in droves, fed it to their babies, and inadvertently killed them. 

When swill milk was discovered to be the culprit for infant mortality skyrocketing in the city’s poor, investigations ensued. But corruption kept the dairies running and made the investigators look like fools, so the poisoning continued, even arguing that swill mill was better for babies than regular milk! 

The co-owner of the famous Macy’s and Abraham & Strauss Department Stores, Nathan Strauss, wanted to change this. In 1892, he created the Nathan Strauss Pasteurized Milk Laboratory, privately funding research to save children and provide healthy pasteurized milk to prevent tuberculosis and deaths that came from swill milk. The research found that unpasteurized milk caused not only tuberculosis, but scarlet fever, typhoid, diphtheria and other diseases! Strauss also set up low-price coal and milk stations to help the poor. He opened lodges to house the poor and funded their meals. 

Finally, distrust rose until regulations were put in place and an educational campaign made it clear that infants were at great risk if they drank swill milk. Through his philanthropy and concern, he eliminated thousands of deaths and led the movement to pasteurize milk. 

Here’s an excerpt from Reagan’s Reward that tells the tale:

Reagan took a sip of her water and set down her glass. “Do you know, boys, that until recently, many babies and children often died from drinking milk?” 

Joseph scrunched up his nose, pushing his milk away. “Why? Milk is good for us. Mama always said so. So did Nanny.”

Reagan nodded. “Yes, it is, if it’s pasteurized and not raw swill milk. And I’m sure your milk is always pasteurized.” 

Joseph pulled his glass back toward him and took a bite of a cookie. Jacob gobbled and guzzled, thoroughly engulfed in his snack.  

“Last night I read a newspaper article about your great uncle, Mr. Strauss, the one your aunt told you about. Do you know that he helped to keep children from dying? He believed in Louis Pasteur’s discovery of pasteurizing milk, so he built a plant to sterilize milk bottles and pasteurize milk. At his own expense, he established dozens of care centers that gave good, healthy milk, food, and coal to the poor of New York City. He even built shelters for the homeless.”

“That was very kind of him,” said Joseph. 

Jacob finally joined in. “What’s swill milk?”

“It was poor quality milk that brewers and distillers sold, and it was often contaminated with typhoid, diphtheria and cholera. Mr. Strauss had three children, and two of them died. He was convinced that the milk killed them.”

 

About Reagan’s Reward:

In my sixth Gilded Age story, Reagan’s Reward, it’s the summer of 1912. Reagan Kennedy assumes the position of governess to the Bernheim family’s twin nephews, and her life at Cherry Island’s Casa Blanca becomes frustratingly complicated. Service to a Jewish family when she is a Gentile and tending to eight-year-old, mischievous boys yields challenges galore.

 

Daniel Lovitz serves as the island’s caretaker and boatman. He tries to help the alluring Reagan make sense of her new world, but she calls into question his own faith background and forces him to face the hurts of his past. Then there’s the jealous lady’s maid who seems intent on wedging herself between them. Can he and Reagan ever find common ground on such a small island? 

 

Susan G Mathis is an award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemmaand Katelyn’s Choice are available now, and she’s working on book three. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise are also available. Susan’s books have won numerous awards, including the Illumination Book Award, the American Fiction Award and the Indie Excellence Book Award. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

 

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Fact or Fiction: The Scandal of Lord Byron

Fact or Fiction: The Scandal of Lord Byron 

by Linore Rose Burkard

The idea persists since the early 19th century that Lord Byron, the famed romantic poet of such pieces as “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” and “She Walks in Beauty,” had an incestuous relationship with his half sister, the Hon. Augusta Byron Leigh.

Augusta Leigh

Note: What makes a woman "The Honourable"? She must be the daughter of a baron. It is a courtesy title*, as baron's daughters are actually commoners.  [*ie., not a true title]

In his day Byron was notorious for being a very talented bad boy, so it is easy to understand why people were ready and willing to believe in the affair. But what evidence is there? Only what today would be called circumstantial. 

A young George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)

The basis of the charge was that Augusta (who was married) visited London and saw her brother in the summer of 1813 and then had a baby in April 1814. The child was named Elizabeth Medora. 

This was considered suspicious because Byron had a character named Medora in a poem published in 1814. Also, Byron wrote a letter on the 25th of April, 1814 saying, "and it is Not an Ape." Almost every editor says this was a reference to a belief that a child of incest would be deformed or look like an ape. Yet there is no evidence of such a belief having been in existence at that time.
 
Medora's father was satisfied that the child was his. Yet it is on such flimsy evidence that Byron is indicted as having had an incestuous affair with his sister. Flimsy evidence that makes the brooding, handsome poet, already infamous for notorious affairs and questionable deeds, appear even darker. 

What of His Wife?

Anne Isabella Byron, Baroness Byron

Byron's brief marriage (1815) was an unlikely match at the outset, and it was no secret he sought the union out of financial necessity. He was not easy to live with, and his behavior worsened as his monetary woes increased. It was he who suggested Lady Byron take their child, Ada, to her parents' home while he sorted out the financial mess he was in. His wife, who had already begun cataloging his moods and speech (suspicious that he was becoming deranged) agreed to go and at first kept up an affectionate correspondence. Shortly after the separation began, however, she became convinced that Byron's behavior was not a result of mental illness--the doctors' opinions were unanimous in that regard--and her tone changed. She sought a legal separation, and, ultimately, divorce.

This cast a dark shadow upon the poet, for Lady Byron, the former Miss Milbanke, was a known specimen of gentle propriety. What awful thing had Byron done to estrange her?

 Another female with a grudge against Byron was the emotionally unstable Lady Caroline Lamb. Byron did have an affair with Caroline before his marriage--it was passionate but brief. He grew tired of her and broke it off. She never resigned herself to his loss, and it is alleged that she authored the rumor.   

Augusta herself presents a problem for those who believe the affair took place because all descriptions of Augusta that we have show a religious woman who was concerned about her brother's rackety ways as an older sister would be. Indeed, even Lady Byron loved Augusta--although she abandoned her after the divorce. (Was this because she'd become convinced of the affair?)

The Plot Thickens

After Byron's death, any credence that had been given to the rumor was drowned among a litany of praise for the "noble" poet. He had died young (at only 36) after being weakened while fighting in the cause of freedom (Greece's civil war). In 1869, however, Harriet Beecher Stowe (of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame) wrote an article  called, "The True Story of Lady Byron’s Life." This added a new iron to the fire of controversy that remains to this day. 

Harriet Beecher Stowe

The article caused such a storm that the magazine went bankrupt. Mrs. Stowe then wrote a book, Lady Byron Vindicated,** to justify herself and Lady Byron. It was written, also, in protest to biographies that had cast a favorable light upon the poet.

But disbelief persisted. Why, if the account were true, had it not been published earlier, critics asked. Stowe's response was that her ladyship had given the information to her in confidence, asking that it be suppressed until after her death. Then, the War of the Southern Rebellion made it impossible to publish the article earlier. (Lady Byron died in 1860.)

Society was split. Some were scandalized, and others refused to believe the allegations. Lord Lovelace, Lady Byron’s grandson, took his grandmother’s side. But many critics and others took the side of Byron. 
A major difficulty was that everyone intimately involved was dead by this time. Lord Byron had died earliest, in 1824; Augusta in 1851, and Lady Byron in 1860. 

An argument of the believers was to say that proof of the allegation was not needed because the charges, made by the saintly Lady Byron, must be true. She would never have invented such a monstrous lie. Others, however, suspected precisely the reverse: that such charges coming from an alienated, estranged wife must be suspect.

Lord Byron, by Richard Westall

Weighing the Evidence:
We can't know when Augusta got pregnant--whether before her visit to her half brother or not. Unless someone can find evidence of this on record, say, from a physician of the day, then it is an unknown and can always be speculated upon.

Then, Byron wrote to Lady Melbourne on the 8th of April in 1814 to say he had just come from visiting his sister and the baby;  this was two weeks before the aforementioned letter--and he was more concerned with his indigestion than anything else. Another letter, written April 25, starts off discussing Lady Caroline Lamb. Augusta and the baby are not mentioned at all.

While Medora was the name of a character in Byron’s poem, it was also the name of a race horse with connections to Augusta’s family that won a big race in 1814. 

Personally, what seems to speak out against Byron for me is that Lady Byron was sincerely religious, and devout people don't go about inventing rumors. It's conceivable that she was sincerely mistaken regarding the incest, but by all accounts she absolutely believed it occurred.

Finally, it doesn't speak well for the poet that he left England shortly after the dissolution of his marriage (never, alas, to return). Was he afraid of being found out and publicly humiliated?

On the other hand, Bryon himself was known to take a morbid delight in being accused of wrongdoings, and so might have inadvertently taken "credit" for the affair to his wife--not suspecting she would believe him. However, when he refused to give her a legal separation and pleaded ignorance as to why she left him, her lawyers offered to take the matter to trial where they would furnish "evidence" against him. He declined to go that route, and instead granted the divorce. 

In the end, it is a matter of "he said, she said." And, whom shall we believe?

Lady Shelley’s comments will be the last word here. She was a friend of both Byron and Augusta. She wrote,

“[Augusta’s] manner towards him is decidedly maternal; it is as though she were reproving a thoughtless child. .....
She is extremely good and I like her very much.” (Later) “The accusation which has lately been brought against Mrs. Leigh seems, to me, who knew her well, as the height of absurdity. She was what I should call a religious woman; and her feeling for Byron was that of an elder sister towards a wayward child."

VERDICT: True or False? You decide! Byron’s incestuous affair with Augusta was (in my opinion) quite possible, but the evidence available makes it technically FALSE. What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.  

This article was adapted from my PDF, "Myths and Mysteries of the Regency." Earlier, I was convinced that the incest was a mere rumor. After doing more reading, I'm not quite so sure.  Special thanks to Nancy Mayer for providing information used here. Ms. Mayer is a Regency research expert who shares her knowledge at http://www.susannaives.com/nancyregencyresearcher/

** You can read Stowe's book, Lady Byron Vindicated, free online, if you wish. Warning: it is tediously long. In the end, you are convinced of two things: One--Lady Byron was sure of the incest, and Two-- Harriet Beecher Stowe was sure of Lady Byron.

Linore Rose Burkard is best known for historical regency novels with Harvest House Publishers, including Before the Season Ends, the award-winning The House in Grosvenor Square, and, The Country House Courtship. As a writer noted for meticulous research as well as bringing people to life on the page, Linore’s books delight fans of historical romance with “Heyeresque” humor and Austen-like manners.  Linore teaches workshops for writers with Greater Harvest Workshops in Ohio, is a homeschooling mother of five, and has recently finished a YA novel. Keep up with Linore by subscribing to her free newsletter atLinore@LinoreBurkard.com