Famous and Infamous Albertans - D

The following are mini biographies of famous and infamous Albertans, and some just plain interesting ones.
If you have a mini biography you would like to add please email Annette Bame Peebles with the information.

DAVIS, Henry

Henry Davis, better known as 'Twelve Foot Davis' got his nickname when

he struck it rich in the British Columbia gold fields on a 12 foot wide

claim where he managed to extract about $15,000 in gold. In 1865 he arrived

in the Peace country and set up a trading post across from Fort Dunvegan,

the first of many along the Peace River. He died in 1900 and was buried

at Lesser Slave Lake but his friend, 'Peace River Jim' Cornwall had his

remains moved to Grouard Hill overlooking the town of Peace River.

      Source - Heritage Hunter's Guide to Alberta Museums by Roberta Hursey
Source - Alberta History Along the Highway by Ted Stone

DUBOIS, Jack

Jack Dubois settled on Big Knife Creek near Galahad when he arrived in

Alberta from the United States in 1902. Here, he organized a gang of cattle

thieves who stole cattle from the local ranchers and added them to their

own herds after altering the brands. In 1909, after an intensive investigation

by the Royal North West Mounted Police, two of the members of Dubois' gang,

the Holt brothers,  were arrested while he escaped. He was later arrested

while trying to board a train at Lacombe. The Holt's received a nine year

sentence each while Dubois got only nine months. The Crown appealed the

ruling, the first one ever appealed in Alberta, and the Supreme Court overruled

the decision. At his next trial Dubois was sentenced to five years. On

appeal the charges were thrown out and Dubois was released.

      Source - Heritage Hunter's Guide to Alberta Museums by Roberta Hursey

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