BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 43

WILD BILL PEYTO
These words from a friend sum up Bill Peyto-one of Banff's earliest characters and
one of the Canadian Rockies' greatest guides: “rarely speaking-his forte was doing
things, not talking about them.” In 1886, at the tender age of 18, Ebenezer Willi-
am Peyto left England for Canada. After traveling extensively, he settled in Banff
and was hired as an apprentice guide for legendary outfitter Tom Wilson. Wearing a
tilted sombrero, fringed buckskin coat, cartridge belt, hunting knife, and six-shoot-
er, he looked more like a gunslinger than a mountain man.
As his reputation as a competent guide grew, so did the stories. While guiding
clients on one occasion, he led them to his cabin. Before entering, Peyto threw
stones in the front door until a loud snap was heard. It was a bear trap that he'd set
up to catch a certain trapper who'd been stealing his food. One of the guests com-
mented that if caught, the trapper would surely have died. “You're damned right he
would have,” Bill replied. “Then I'd have known for sure it was him.”
In 1900, Peyto left Banff to fight in the Boer War and was promoted to corporal
for bravery. This title was revoked before it became official after army officials
learned he'd “borrowed” an officer's jacket and several bottles of booze for the cel-
ebration. Returning to a hero's welcome in Banff, Peyto established an outfitting
business and continued prospecting for copper in Simpson Pass. Although his out-
fitting business thrived, the death of his wife left him despondent. He built a house
on Banff Avenue; its name, “Ain't it Hell,” summed up his view of life.
In his later years, he became a warden in the Healy Creek-Sunshine district,
where his exploits during the 1920s added to his already legendary name. After 20
years of service he retired, and in 1943, at the age of 75, he passed away. One of the
park's most beautiful lakes is named after him, as are a glacier and a popular Banff
watering hole (Wild Bill's-a designation he would have appreciated). His face also
adorns the large signs welcoming visitors to Banff.
A 2,500-hectare (6,177-acre) reserve was established around the springs on November
25, 1885, and two years later the reserve was expanded and renamed Rocky Mountains
Park. It was primarily a business enterprise centered around the unique springs and ca-
tering to wealthy patrons of the railway. At the turn of the 20th century, Canada had an
abundance of wilderness; it certainly didn't need a park to preserve it. The only goal of