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of discussion in the
press. Eventually
Kirkup was to be
immortalized by
famed western
artist Frederick
Remington. The
latter sketched Jack
in 1889. It was this
same sketch that
was later published
the following
year in Harpers
Magazine, securing
Jack’s reputation as
a legendary western
lawman.
Romance had also
entered Jack’s life during his tenure in Revelstoke. He married
Susan Kerr in 1891. She was 11 years younger than Jack. They
had two sons, one of whom would follow in his father’s footsteps
and join the provincial police force.
Jack Kirkup’s honesty and forthright manner was annoying to
many beaurucrats and politicians. After some tense issues he
resigned his post in 1895. The town of Rossland was quick to hire
him as their new police chief, while the provincial government
opted to appoint Jack as a government agent as well.
Rossland was a prosperous boom town at the time and the
potential for bonanza attracted a multitude of characters, some
of which were less than honorable. The émigrés to Rossland
were an eclectic group of saloon keepers, miners, cowboys,
business men, fortune-seekers and those that preyed upon them,
the gamblers, card sharps, thieves, robbers and murderers. All
were drawn to this Eldorado of the Kootenay.
Rossland, at that time, was a brawling, boisterous little burg. The
wildest part, no question about it, was called Sourdough Alley.
The “Alley” was the haunt of nefarious characters of every stripe
and the rule of law simply did not exist for its residents. The city
fathers feared this criminal enclave was verging on anarchy and
could possibly jeopardize the future of their town. To set things
right and restore order, only the services of an experienced, hardas-nails
lawman and peace keeper like Jack Kirkup, was required.
The town council appointed Kirkup their new Chief of Police,
and authorized the hiring of two deputies. His legend would be
affirmed, once and for all, in what was called the Golden City.
Kirkup’s ability with negotiation, Colt .44 pistol and shot loaded
cane quickly brought stability and order to the camp.
Kirkup’s cane later became something of a trade-mark of his.
The local paper, the Rossland Miner, in a piece dated April
30th, 1895 even reported on its acquisition. The story read,
“Constable Jack Kirkup was presented the other day with a
walking cane. It is made of sole leather with a steel rod down
the centre and is heavily loaded at the butt and silver mounted.
Its construction occupied the leisure moments of a convict in the
Idaho penitentiary and its appearance would warrant the arrest of
anyone except a constable who carried it.”
It was reported that the fabrication of this Billy-cum-cane, was
supposedly done in a penal institution in Idaho. It was a leather
covered iron rod with a shot loaded head designed to inflict a
knock-out or stunning blow to the malefactor or miscreant in
breach of the peace. It was with this novel walking stick that
Kirkup was able to subdue some of the worst Rossland ruffians.
Some say it is reminiscent of the same silver-headed cane sported
by actor Gene Barry in the TV series about another legendary
lawman Bat Masterson. (Incidentally, the real Bat Masterson
was born in Henryville, Quebec.)
In the course of his career, Jack was forced to regularly risk life
and limb dealing with the scum of the earth, including stonecold
killers, professional stick-up men and gun slicks. But it was
his confrontation with Jack Lucy, a pistolero from Idaho, which
was to define the classic Kirkup law-enforcement action. He
confronted Lucy at arm’s length, grabbing him by the shoulder,
while his other hand was poised to strike or draw. Powerfully
squeezing Lucy’s shoulder, his entire demeanor offering the
threat of immediate mortal danger, he simply “suggested” that
the gunman should consider a return visit to Idaho, as it would
not be in his best interest to remain in the Rossland area. Lucy
took Kirkup’s advice and returned to the U.S. without delay.
On another occasion Kirkup heard an uproar and gunfire in
a Sourdough Alley saloon! Barging in, he confronted two
erstwhile duelists, who lucky for them, appeared to have missed
their targets. Faced with the enormous lawman & his wellrespected
shot-loaded cane, the two dropped their pistols and
swiftly departed.
Kirkup’s sixteen months as police chief saw the town transformed
and law & order restored once and for all. Alas, his methods
and strong-arm tactics caused a rift with the town’s mayor that
eventually led to Jack being relieved of his office. Provincial
authorities were not similarly inclined and they retained Kirkup
as both a government agent and Gold Commissioner.
A quote from the Mining Record, dated September 1896
perhaps sums up the Jack Kirkup story best. “Jack Kirkup” as
he is familiarly known throughout the length and breadth of
Kootenay, is one of the most prominent characters connected
with the development of the district. To his individual courage
and skill is largely due the fact that the mining camps of British
Columbia are the most peaceful and law-abiding of any in
the world. His wonderful tact and judgment has on numerous
occasions prevented bloodshed and disorder and today his single
word, the influence of his presence as chief of police in Rossland
is sufficient to command the most thorough respect for law and
order throughout the town.”
Jack, his wife and sons lived in Rossland until 1912, when he was
transferred to the government office in Port Alberni, Vancouver’s
Island, and later to Nanaimo. Jack remained an employee of the
provincial government until his passing.
Jack passed away November 2, 1916, and was survived by his
wife and two sons. His legacy as a lawman and peace keeper is a
valued addition to our history and firearms heritage.
I extend my appreciation to the Rossland Museum, Ridge
Records and the Kirkup family for their contributions.
www.nfa.ca September - October 15