Elzéar GOULET (1836-1870)
Elzéar was born at St. Boniface, Red River Settlement on 26 November 1836. He was the son of Alexis Goulet (1811-1856) and Josephte (1816-1891).
On 08 March 1859, he married Hélène Jérôme, dit Saint-Matte, (1844-1940) at Pembina, Dakota Territory and they had six children: Alfred (1860-1943), Elizabeth Helen (1862-1902, wife of Moise Parenteau), Albert Elzéar (1864-1953), Roger (1867-1946), Sarah (1868-1908, wife of John Hepelle) and Elzéar Jr (1870-1917).
He received some schooling at Saint-Boniface. Elzéar carried the mail from Pembina to Upper Fort Garry (Winnipeg) from 1860 to 1869 and became an American citizen during this time. He travelled by horseback in the summer and by dogsled in the winter. Each trip would take three to four days to complete. These weekly trips soon earned him a reputation of respect.
Mail Carrier, Métis Leader
In 1869, he joined an organized group of Métis, led by Louis Riel, and he was part of the group that constructed a barricade at the bridge over the La Salle River that would prevent the Canadian government officials from claiming land already occupied by the Métis. The barricade was called “La Barrière” and is now a park just south of Winnipeg. At this same time, Elzéar’s older brother, Roger, who held positions of surveyor, district judge and member of the Council of Assiniboia, was authorized by the Ottawa government to negotiate with Riel and the Métis leaders on the Métis land claim that was presented. This resulted in brothers on opposite sides.
Elzéar was elevated to the military rank of captain in Riel’s provisional government and served directly under Ambroise Lépine, Riel’s adjutant general. He served as member of the court martial for Thomas Scott, who was accused of treason against the provisional government in the Red River, and he was one of the members of the court who executed Scott by firing squad.
On 13 September 1870, Elzéar entered the Red Saloon located at the corner of Portage Avenue and Main Street and owned by Hugh O’Lone, a member of Riel’s provisional government. This saloon had become the tavern of choice for the soldiers and other Orangeman supporters since it was only a few hundred meters away from Upper Fort Garry. Elzéar was recognized for his resistance by John Farquharson and chased by him and a band of vigilantees down Post Office Street which ended at the Red River. Elzéar dove in from the steamboat landing, planning to swim across to St. Boniface, however, he was pelted with stones by his pursuers and was knocked unconscious and drowned.
Elzéar drowned 13 September 1870 in the Red River at Winnipeg and was buried in the St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery.
Sources:
- Elzéar Goulet, Dictionary of Canadian Biography, IX, 329-30.
- Elzéar Goulet,
- The murder of Elzéar Goulet and the struggle for Métis rights, Human Rights Museum
- Family Trees, Ancestry
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