Matthew McCauley (politician)
Encyclopedia
Matthew "Matt" McCauley was the first mayor
of the city
of Edmonton, and a member of the legislative assemblies of both the Northwest Territories and Alberta
.
McCauley was born into a farming family at what later became the province of Ontario
to an Irish father and Canadian mother. His restless nature and desire for adventure led him to travel west to Manitoba. In Manitoba, he established a livery business, which he ran until he set off for Edmonton in 1879. He farmed for two years in Fort Saskatchewan before finally moving to Edmonton, where he established the settlement's first livery and cartage business.
Along with a couple prominent Edmonton citizens, he formed an association aimed to restore order in the area, settling many disputes, including during the 1885 Riel Rebellion
as it's captain. He soon established a school board, recognizing the need for a school, which he served as president and trustee for 18 years. Shortly before Edmonton was incorporated as a town in 1892, he formed the Board of Trade. Upon the incorporation, he was acclaimed the town's first mayor in 1892, and the next two following years. He did not run for re-election at the end of his third term, opting to run for the seat representing Edmonton on the Territorial Legislature, which he served for 6 years. Following his defeat moved to Tofield, Alberta
farm until 1905, when he returned to Edmonton and was elected to the new Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The following year, he resigned his seat to serve as the first warden of the province's first penitentiary. After 5 years as warden, he moved to British Columbia
to fruit farm, but he moved back to Sexsmith, Alberta 13 years later to farm, where he died in 1930.
to Alexander and Eleanor (née
Latimer) McCauley. His father Alexander was an Irish immigrant who was born in Antrim
. He moved to Canada
at the age of five, and went on to become a successful farmer. Though his early years were described as him being a "typical farm boy" of the time, he received schooling from the Owen Sound Public School. McCauley desired to follow in the footsteps of this father as a farmer after his completing his education, but his restless nature and passion for adventure set him off to the west
, where he first set off to Fort Garry
in Manitoba
.
McCauley established a livery
business, the first of the kind in Winnipeg
. He married Matilda Benson of Sarnia, Ontario
in 1875, and resided in Winnipeg with her for the next four years, where he continued to operate his livery business. After growing restless in Winnipeg in 1879, McCauley sold his business and traveled west once again, this time to Edmonton
. McCauley arrived in Edmonton in the fall of 1879 after 21 days of travelling by ox cart
. He purchased a farm in Fort Saskatchewan the following spring, and farmed for two years before moving to Edmonton in 1882. In Edmonton, he opened the town's first livery and cartage business, the Edmonton Cartage Company, and a butcher
shop in 1883.
to settle the dispute in a civil manner, but to no avail. As a result of the government not being able to do anything, and the lack of a law enforcement agency in the town, a group of prominent citizens formed a "Protective Association" as an attempt to restore law and order, to which McCauley was elected it's captain.
As captain, McCauley tried hard to settle the dispute and reach a compromise with the claim-jumpers who "head no desire for a peaceful settlement." He was involved in a brief altercation with a claim jumper whom he approached and ordered to move. The man was armed with two revolver
s and refused to move, therefore McCauley and his crew jacked the shack off it's foundation and sent it down the riverbank. The Protective Association, however was involved in a legal problems brought up by the claim jumpers, for "willful damage to property." The brief trial resulted in McCauley, as the captain being fined 40 dollars, and six other members of the committee found guilty, but being let off with court costs. The Protective Association eventually managed to restore peace and order in Edmonton, and claim jumpers eventually decided that the area was not the place to build on.
in 1885, news of the Frog Lake Massacre
spread to Edmonton, invoking fear to many residents. McCauley quickly responded by organizing a group of able body men into what was known as the "Home Guard," which formed a sentry
that ensured security from possible attacks.
) the Edmonton Board of Trade, forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce.
When Edmonton was incorporated as a town on January 9, 1892, it held its first election in 1892
with McCauley acclaimed as mayor. Among his concerns during his first term were to "establish order" among the scattered shacks near the trading post, and widening various streets around the town, in preparation for what he envisioned in the future of Edmonton becoming a "busy metropolitan". He was re-acclaimed in 1893
and 1894
before stepping aside voluntarily after his third term, never having contested an election. During his term as mayor, the Canadian government decided to move the Dominion Land Office from Edmonton to Strathcona, which was then a separate community. Angry Edmontonians descended on the office and tore to pieces the wagon that the officer was packing with records for transportation, and McCauley persuaded the government to relent. In 1893, he went to Ottawa
to enter negotiations with the federal government for a street railway system. McCauley was successful, and the system became the first in the west. McCauley also saw Edmonton's need for a hospital, and consequently established what later became Grey Nuns Hospital, arranging for the Grey Nuns to establish at the town, along with a nurse.
In 1896
, McCauley sought election to Town Council once again, this time as alderman. He was easily elected, finishing first of eight candidates in an election in which the top six were elected. He served a single term, and did not seek re-election the following election
.
's representative in the North-West Territories Legislature. During his term as representative, he worked to upgrade Edmonton's school system, along with upgrading the town's trade industry. He served in this capacity until 1902, when he was defeated.
In 1901, McCauley sold Edmonton Cartage Company and used the proceeds to buy one thousand acres (4 km²) of farmland in Tofield, Alberta
, where he farmed until returning to Edmonton in 1905. While in Tofield, he married Annie Cookson - his first wife, Matilda, had died in 1896 - with whom he had four children, bringing his total to twelve.
Upon Alberta becoming a province in 1905, McCauley returned to Edmonton and was elected as a Liberal member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
in the riding of Vermilion in the province's first general election
. During his tenure, he had introduced many bills to the house, and advocated for a university to be founded.
McCauley played a vital role in Edmonton being chosen as the provincial capital city. In a speech, he pointed out the ongoing development at Peace River, Alberta
, and how Edmonton would be the "logical centre of the province".
McCauley resigned as warden in 1912 to become a fruit farmer in Penticton in the Okanagan
valley. After thirteen years farming in Penticton, he moved to Sexsmith, Alberta
to farm on a recently-bought 1000 acre farm.
, England
.
McCauley was an active member of the Edmonton community. He served as a director of the Edmonton Agricultural Association for 16 years. The association brought the Edmonton Exhibition to Edmonton, one of the prominent fairs of the west at the time. As telephone service was brought to Edmonton, McCauley was one of the first to receive one installed. His telephone number was #1. When John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
would visit Edmonton for business, McCauley and his wife would usually be the ones to entertain him. Also an avid curler
, McCauley led his curling team where he served as a skip
to many victories. He also enjoyed other sports, including horse carriage racing.
McCauley School was named his honour in 1912. McCauley Plaza was also built on the site of his home, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River
.
McCauley was often called "Honest Matt McCauley". It was said that he "has a strong personality, high ideals and indomitable will ans was generous to a fault." Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood is named for him.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Edmonton, and a member of the legislative assemblies of both the Northwest Territories and Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
.
McCauley was born into a farming family at what later became the province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
to an Irish father and Canadian mother. His restless nature and desire for adventure led him to travel west to Manitoba. In Manitoba, he established a livery business, which he ran until he set off for Edmonton in 1879. He farmed for two years in Fort Saskatchewan before finally moving to Edmonton, where he established the settlement's first livery and cartage business.
Along with a couple prominent Edmonton citizens, he formed an association aimed to restore order in the area, settling many disputes, including during the 1885 Riel Rebellion
North-West Rebellion
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel against the Dominion of Canada...
as it's captain. He soon established a school board, recognizing the need for a school, which he served as president and trustee for 18 years. Shortly before Edmonton was incorporated as a town in 1892, he formed the Board of Trade. Upon the incorporation, he was acclaimed the town's first mayor in 1892, and the next two following years. He did not run for re-election at the end of his third term, opting to run for the seat representing Edmonton on the Territorial Legislature, which he served for 6 years. Following his defeat moved to Tofield, Alberta
Tofield, Alberta
Tofield is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located east of Edmonton at the junction of Highway 14, Highway 834, and Highway 626. Beaverhill Lake lies immediately north-east of the community....
farm until 1905, when he returned to Edmonton and was elected to the new Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The following year, he resigned his seat to serve as the first warden of the province's first penitentiary. After 5 years as warden, he moved to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
to fruit farm, but he moved back to Sexsmith, Alberta 13 years later to farm, where he died in 1930.
Early life
Matthew McCauley was born July 11, 1850 in Owen Sound, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
to Alexander and Eleanor (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Latimer) McCauley. His father Alexander was an Irish immigrant who was born in Antrim
Antrim, County Antrim
Antrim is a town in County Antrim in the northeast of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Six Mile Water, half a mile north-east of Lough Neagh. It had a population of 20,001 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre of Antrim Borough Council...
. He moved to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the age of five, and went on to become a successful farmer. Though his early years were described as him being a "typical farm boy" of the time, he received schooling from the Owen Sound Public School. McCauley desired to follow in the footsteps of this father as a farmer after his completing his education, but his restless nature and passion for adventure set him off to the west
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
, where he first set off to Fort Garry
Fort Garry
Fort Garry, also known as Upper Fort Garry, was a Hudson's Bay Company trading post at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in what is now downtown Winnipeg. It was established in 1822 on or near the site of the North West Company's Fort Gibraltar. Fort Garry was named after Nicholas...
in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
.
McCauley established a livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
business, the first of the kind in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
. He married Matilda Benson of Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
in 1875, and resided in Winnipeg with her for the next four years, where he continued to operate his livery business. After growing restless in Winnipeg in 1879, McCauley sold his business and traveled west once again, this time to Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. McCauley arrived in Edmonton in the fall of 1879 after 21 days of travelling by ox cart
Bullock cart
A bullock cart or ox cart is a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by oxen . It is a means of transportation used since ancient times in many parts of the world. They are still used today where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure does not favor them.Used especially for carrying goods,...
. He purchased a farm in Fort Saskatchewan the following spring, and farmed for two years before moving to Edmonton in 1882. In Edmonton, he opened the town's first livery and cartage business, the Edmonton Cartage Company, and a butcher
Butcher
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat or any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments...
shop in 1883.
Career in Edmonton
Protective Association
McCauley arrived in Edmonton at the time of what has been described "one of the biggest conflicts ever." The Hudson Bay Company has recently surveyed lots of land that were intended to be sold as property, however word broke out that the particular are of land was the only land surveyed in the entire district. People attracted to the area were unable to afford land, and therefore built shacks. As more claim-jumpers moved in, it was requested that they move three or four miles outwards, but they refused. McCauley sent many urgent messages to OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
to settle the dispute in a civil manner, but to no avail. As a result of the government not being able to do anything, and the lack of a law enforcement agency in the town, a group of prominent citizens formed a "Protective Association" as an attempt to restore law and order, to which McCauley was elected it's captain.
As captain, McCauley tried hard to settle the dispute and reach a compromise with the claim-jumpers who "head no desire for a peaceful settlement." He was involved in a brief altercation with a claim jumper whom he approached and ordered to move. The man was armed with two revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s and refused to move, therefore McCauley and his crew jacked the shack off it's foundation and sent it down the riverbank. The Protective Association, however was involved in a legal problems brought up by the claim jumpers, for "willful damage to property." The brief trial resulted in McCauley, as the captain being fined 40 dollars, and six other members of the committee found guilty, but being let off with court costs. The Protective Association eventually managed to restore peace and order in Edmonton, and claim jumpers eventually decided that the area was not the place to build on.
Edmonton School Board
After realizing Edmonton as a suitable place for raising his children, McCauley soon recognized the community's need for a school. McCauley led a group of prominent men and arranged for a school to be built on land donated by the Hudson Bay Company. The school opened in on January 2, 1882. Three years after the opening of the school, McCauley found himself and a small group of people paying off bills for the school. Initially, McCauley suggested that land owners be taxed with the funds going to the school, but protest followed. McCauley then decided to propose that Edmonton be designated as an official school district by the government in Ottawa, which was voted in favor of following a close vote. The school district was successfully negotiated with Ottawa, and it became the first of its kind in the North-West Territories. Edmonton became known as having the "finest school system in the west of Portage La Prairie" that set an example for many other following cities. McCauley served as chairman of the newly formed School Board from 1885 to 1888, when he stepped down, although he served as a trustee for 18 years following. He was nicknamed "Edmonton's Father of Education" in honor of his efforts to bring an education system to the community.Rebellion of 1885
During the Riel RebellionNorth-West Rebellion
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel against the Dominion of Canada...
in 1885, news of the Frog Lake Massacre
Frog Lake Massacre
The Frog Lake Massacre was a Cree uprising during the North-West Rebellion in western Canada. Led by Wandering Spirit, young Cree warriors attacked the village of Frog Lake, North-West Territories on 2 April 1885, where they killed nine settlers.- Causes :Angered by what seemed to be unfair...
spread to Edmonton, invoking fear to many residents. McCauley quickly responded by organizing a group of able body men into what was known as the "Home Guard," which formed a sentry
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
that ensured security from possible attacks.
Edmonton
In 1889, McCauley co-founded (with Frank Oliver and John Alexander McDougallJohn Alexander McDougall
John Alexander McDougall was a politician in Alberta, Canada, a municipal councillor and mayor in Edmonton, and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.-Early life:...
) the Edmonton Board of Trade, forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce.
When Edmonton was incorporated as a town on January 9, 1892, it held its first election in 1892
Edmonton municipal election, 1892
The 1892 Edmonton municipal election, held February 10, 1892, was the first after the incorporation of Edmonton as a town, and was held to elect the new town's first town council for a one year term...
with McCauley acclaimed as mayor. Among his concerns during his first term were to "establish order" among the scattered shacks near the trading post, and widening various streets around the town, in preparation for what he envisioned in the future of Edmonton becoming a "busy metropolitan". He was re-acclaimed in 1893
Edmonton municipal election, 1893
The 1893 municipal election was held January 3, 1893 to elect the town council and three trustees for each of the public and separate school divisions.-Mayor:-Aldermen:-References:...
and 1894
Edmonton municipal election, 1894
The 1894 Edmonton municipal election was held January 2, 1894 to elect the town council, consisting of a mayor and six aldermen, each elected for a one year term).-Mayor:-Aldermen:-References:*...
before stepping aside voluntarily after his third term, never having contested an election. During his term as mayor, the Canadian government decided to move the Dominion Land Office from Edmonton to Strathcona, which was then a separate community. Angry Edmontonians descended on the office and tore to pieces the wagon that the officer was packing with records for transportation, and McCauley persuaded the government to relent. In 1893, he went to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
to enter negotiations with the federal government for a street railway system. McCauley was successful, and the system became the first in the west. McCauley also saw Edmonton's need for a hospital, and consequently established what later became Grey Nuns Hospital, arranging for the Grey Nuns to establish at the town, along with a nurse.
In 1896
Edmonton municipal election, January 1896
The first of two 1896 municipal elections was held January 13, 1896 to elect the town council , five trustees for the public school division and four trustees for the separate school division....
, McCauley sought election to Town Council once again, this time as alderman. He was easily elected, finishing first of eight candidates in an election in which the top six were elected. He served a single term, and did not seek re-election the following election
Edmonton municipal election, December 1896
The second of two 1896 municipal elections was held December 14, 1896. This was the first election to take place on the second Monday of December instead of the second Monday in January...
.
Territorial and provincial
Following his decision not to run for re-election as mayor in 1893, three years later, McCauley sought to be EdmontonEdmonton (N.W.T. electoral district)
Edmonton was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905. In 1888 the riding returned the top two candidates after it was merged with the St. Albert electoral district. The...
's representative in the North-West Territories Legislature. During his term as representative, he worked to upgrade Edmonton's school system, along with upgrading the town's trade industry. He served in this capacity until 1902, when he was defeated.
In 1901, McCauley sold Edmonton Cartage Company and used the proceeds to buy one thousand acres (4 km²) of farmland in Tofield, Alberta
Tofield, Alberta
Tofield is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located east of Edmonton at the junction of Highway 14, Highway 834, and Highway 626. Beaverhill Lake lies immediately north-east of the community....
, where he farmed until returning to Edmonton in 1905. While in Tofield, he married Annie Cookson - his first wife, Matilda, had died in 1896 - with whom he had four children, bringing his total to twelve.
Upon Alberta becoming a province in 1905, McCauley returned to Edmonton and was elected as a Liberal member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
in the riding of Vermilion in the province's first general election
Alberta general election, 1905
The Alberta general election of 1905 was the first general election held in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 9 November 1905, to elect members of the Alberta legislature to the 1st Alberta Legislative Assembly, shortly after the province was created out of the Northwest Territories...
. During his tenure, he had introduced many bills to the house, and advocated for a university to be founded.
McCauley played a vital role in Edmonton being chosen as the provincial capital city. In a speech, he pointed out the ongoing development at Peace River, Alberta
Peace River, Alberta
Peace River is a town in northwestern Alberta, Canada, situated along the banks of the Peace River, at its confluence with the Smoky River, the Heart River and Pat's Creek. It is located northwest of Edmonton, and northeast of Grande Prairie, along Highway 2. The Peace River townsite is nearly ...
, and how Edmonton would be the "logical centre of the province".
Later career
McCauley resigned his seat in the Legislature the following year after he was elected, after his appointment to be warden of the Edmonton Penitentiary, the first of it's kind in Alberta. It was said that his reputation of "honesty, fairness and ability to keep law and order" was a contributing factor in his appointment. In he years he served in the capacity, he was greatly respected amongst his colleagues, and it was said that "he never once had a complaint against him from either staff nor inmates."McCauley resigned as warden in 1912 to become a fruit farmer in Penticton in the Okanagan
Okanagan
The Okanagan , also known as the Okanagan Valley and sometimes as Okanagan Country is a region located in the Canadian province of British Columbia defined by the basin of Okanagan Lake and the Canadian portion of the Okanagan River. As of 2009, the region's population is approximately 350,927. The...
valley. After thirteen years farming in Penticton, he moved to Sexsmith, Alberta
Sexsmith, Alberta
Sexsmith is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located on Highway 2, north of the city of Grande Prairie.Sexsmith is located in the Peace River Country region of Alberta, and as such sits in one of the most fertile growing areas in the province...
to farm on a recently-bought 1000 acre farm.
Personal life
McCauley married Matilda Benson of Sarnia, Ontario in 1875, in which he would remain married to until her sudden death in 1896. He married once again in 1902, to Annie Cookson, originally from ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
McCauley was an active member of the Edmonton community. He served as a director of the Edmonton Agricultural Association for 16 years. The association brought the Edmonton Exhibition to Edmonton, one of the prominent fairs of the west at the time. As telephone service was brought to Edmonton, McCauley was one of the first to receive one installed. His telephone number was #1. When John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, KT, GCMG, GCVO, PC , known as The Earl of Aberdeen from 1870 to 1916, was a Scottish politician...
would visit Edmonton for business, McCauley and his wife would usually be the ones to entertain him. Also an avid curler
Curling
Curling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a...
, McCauley led his curling team where he served as a skip
Skip (curling)
The skip, in conjunction with the team, determines strategy. Based on the strategy, the skip holds the broom indicating where the player throwing must aim . When it is the skip's turn to throw, the vice-skip holds the broom...
to many victories. He also enjoyed other sports, including horse carriage racing.
McCauley School was named his honour in 1912. McCauley Plaza was also built on the site of his home, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
.
Death and legacy
McCauley died in Sexsmith on October 25, 1930 following a long illness. He was survived by his second wife, Annie Cookson, and 11 children and step-children. Upon learning of his death, all school flags in Edmonton were ordered to fly at half-staff. Almost 600 students from McCauley School, which was named in his honour, stood in "solemn salute". McCauley's body was brought back to Edmonton, when he laid in state on October 30 at the First Presbyterian Church. He was interred at the Edmonton Cemetery.McCauley was often called "Honest Matt McCauley". It was said that he "has a strong personality, high ideals and indomitable will ans was generous to a fault." Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood is named for him.