The Vrooms of the Foothills, Volume 2: Cowboys & Homesteaders

About the Book

Cowboys & Homesteaders is the second volume in the series THE VROOMS OF THE FOOTHILLS by Bessie Vroom Ellis. This social history tells the fascinating story of the 1885-1914 era when cowboys, settlers and homesteaders poured into western Canada. Illustrated with over 220 photographs and 7 original maps, the stories resonate with the memories of immigrants who came to southwestern Alberta, looking for a better way of life for themselves and their families.

About the Author

The Vrooms Of The Foothills: Cowboys & Homesteaders is the second volume in a social history series by Bessie Vroom Ellis. In Volume 2 Bessie, herself the daughter and granddaughter of homesteaders, tells her story using over 220 photographs from the treasured albums of homesteaders, plus seven original maps. She recounts the stories of old time cowboys in the 1880's and 1890's and of the homesteaders who followed the cowboys in the early part of the twentieth century. Bessie rode on horesback - nearly nine miles a day round trip - to attend one-room country schools for her elementary grades. She graduated from Pincher Creek High School and attended Calgary Normal School, taught in the Drumheller School Division and at Waterton Park School. In Waterton, Bessie married and raised a family. She wrote feature articles and a regular column, "Wonderful Waterton", for The Lethbridge Herald, also contributing news items to local radio and TV stations and being active in the Girl Guides of Canada and the Anglican Church. After fifteen years, Bessie returned to her teaching career, completed her Master of Education degree at University of Alberta, then taught in Lethbridge. Upon remarrying in 1975 Bessie moved to Regina, SK, teaching there until her retirement. During her years in Regina, Bessie worked to promote the election of more women. The Bessie Ellis Fund (SNDW) continues her work. Bessie received a "Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation Canada, 1867 - 1992" for community service.