MOOSE JAW — Did you know, the first premier of Saskatchewan was from Moose Jaw? The big Walter Scott Building on the Northeast corner of High Street and Main Street carries his name.
Walter Scott was a Liberal – and that is going to annoy a lot of Saskatchewan people today – but hey – different times. Walt won the election on dec. 13, 1905 running on the slogan, “Peace, Progress and Prosperity.” Might work today.
Walter Scott. | Photo courtesy Saskatchewan Archives Board R-D1882
The Scott government helped establish rural mutual telephone systems; the Saskatchewan Co-operative grain elevators; granted female voting rights in 1916 and supported Catholic Schools.
Walt’s government had the usual scandals, mostly over liquor licences – but nothing they couldn’t weather. He resigned on Oct. 20, 1916 due to ill health and moved to Victoria, B.C.
Walter made his money speculating on real estate in Regina and the ownership of newspapers. At one time he owned the Regina Standard, the Moose Jaw Times and the Regina Leader.
Scott suffered from manic depression, known today as bipolar disorder. He had intense mood swings; from high energy to severe depression.
“In 1935, Scott was committed to the Homewood Sanitarium in Guelph, Ontario, where he died on March 23, 1938.” (Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan)
The Homewood Sanitarium, Guelph, Ont. c1935
