John Ware
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John Ware (c. 1845 – 12 September 1905) was an African-American born into slavery in the Carolinas. After the American Civil War he became a cowboy and worked his way into Canada. He is remembered for his ability to ride and train horses. Like any folk hero there are a wide range of tales about his ability to eat, ride, shoot, and contribute to Western culture. The local First Nations' people called him "Matoxy Sex Apee Quin" (bad black white man) because of his courage and enormous strength, and wondered if he had connections to the spirit world.
John arrived on a cattle drive from Idaho to western Canada in 1882. Rather than returning after the end of the drive he stayed on in Calgary and married. By 1900, he and his wife, Mildred, had five children. He moved from the Calgary area to a spot north of the village of Duchess, Alberta, beside the Red Deer River. In 1902 his first home was destroyed by the spring flood. He rebuilt on higher ground overlooking a stream, now called Ware Creek. Three years later Mildred died of pneumonia in the spring; John was killed in the fall following a riding accident. His funeral was reported to be the largest held in the city.
Several geographical features near the Wares' ranch are named in their honour:
- John Ware Ridge (formerly Nigger John Ridge)
- Mount Ware
- Ware Creek
None of John and Mildred's children have present-day descendants. Their last surviving daughter, Nettie, died on her ninety-sixth birthday in March of 1989.
