Winnipeg Tribune, 17 Jan 1924

Fossil Relics Reveal History

Western Canada Enjoyed Balmy Climate 12,000 Years Ago, Says Geologist

Perfect forms of fossil [illegible] relics of ages long past, when Western Canada knew a climate much warmer than the vigorous one of today were exhibited to members of the Canadian Credit Men’s Association at their weekly luncheon today.

They were part of a collection accumulated by WE Cutler, member of the staff of the University of Manitoba, and Fellow of the London Geological Society.  He was the speaker at the luncheon and his talk attracted intense interest.  The fossil figs were found by him in the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan.

There is no doubt, according to Mr Cutler, that from 12000 to 20000 years ago the Cypress Hills and also Alberta, were fruit bearing territory.  Not only figs grew there then, but also the accompanying plants.

During his researches in Saskatchewan and Alberta Mr Cutler unearthed large collections of dinosaur teeth and skulls of prehistoric animals, which he sent to the British museum.  These relics, he said, date back to the Old Oligocene age.

The Cypress Hills are a remnant of beds that covered the whole west before they were swept away.  He was not prepared to say in just what manner these beds were swept away but, in all probability, it was done by water.

“Until the later discoveries in Mongolia, Alberta it is said, was one of the richest fields in the world for searching for the remains of these ancient animals,” the speaker stated.

Mr Cutler will leave Canada shortly for England to take charge of an expedition which is being sent by the British Museum to recover dinosaurs, larger than any others unearthed in South Africa.  He has not yet received definite word from England and could not give the exact date upon which he would sail.

Mr Cutler declared that Greenland once had a much warmer climate.  It was never tropical, no more than the climate of Western Canada, but it was very warm.  The coal beds there and also in the Red Deer district of Alberta, he said, were evidence of this.  He explained that the currents of ocean govern the climate entirely.  The currents pushing north made this country cold.