Caroline Fulham

Caroline "Mother" Fulham (1852–unknown)[1] was an Irish born-Canadian known for raising pigs in Calgary, Alberta and impacting city bylaws regarding the care of animals within city limits.

Caroline Fulham
Born1852 (1852)
Ireland
NationalityCanadian

Fulham was born in Ireland.[2]: 39  She moved to Calgary in 1889.[1] Her husband John Fulham was a rancher.[3] He spent much of his time living and working lived outside of town and only occasionally visited the city.[1]: 56  As a resident in the city she was known for disorderly behaviour and run-ins with the police.[4][5] She was known the only woman to drink at the Alberta Hotel, which otherwise had an all-male clientele, and for frequent arrests while under the influence of alcohol.[1]: 57–58 

Fulham lived at 612-6th Avenue SW.[1]: 56  She raised pigs and other animals in her backyard. Her pigs were fed using waste from local hotels and restaurants.[2]: 39  She collected was in swill barrel, traveling around town on a horse-drawn cart.[6]: 70 [1]: 56  At the time, there were no laws against raising livestock within city limits.[7]: 120  James Alexander Lougheed complained to the city that the value of land he owned was negatively impacted by Fulham's pig raising activities.[8][7]: 125  In response, city council introduced the first set of building restrictions in Calgary's history.[8][7]: 125 

Fulham was frequently represented in court by fellow Irish-Canadian, Paddy Nolan, and was known for theatrics in the courtroom.[5][6] Following the death of a cow following a collision with a Canadian Pacific Railway vehicle, she had Nolan sue the company for damages. The company argued it was not responsible due to the posting of "No Trespassing" signs along the rail line.[1]: 58 [5]: 36  In response Fulham yelled "You fools! What made you think my cow could read?".[5]: 36 

Fulham left Calgary in 1904.[1]: 61  She sold her property following the death of her husband in 1903.[5]: 37  Fulham lived briefly for a time in Vancouver before returning to Calgary in 1905.[5]: 37  Her whereabouts after that time are unknown.[5]: 37 [1]: 61  The building where she lived was eventually torn down to accommodate development in the city.[3]

Sarah Carter has argued that Fulham's behaviour was noteworthy because it went against and tested social norms related to the behaviour of women.[4]: 79–80  Linda Kupececk echoed the assessment stating that Fulham "pushed the boundaries of what women could be in frontier Calgary."[1]: 61 

References
  1. Kupecek, Linda (2003). "Caroline Fulham (1852-unknown)". Rebel Women : Achievements Beyond the Ordinary : History/Biography. Canmore, Alberta: Altitude Pub. pp. 55–61. ISBN 978-1-55153-991-1. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. Carter, Sarah. "Customs Not in Common". The Importance of Being Monogamous: Marriage and Nation Building in Western Canada to 1915 (PDF). University of Alberta Press. ISBN 9780888644909. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. Thomson, Georgina (14 April 1962). "Another Link Gone". Calgary Herald. p. 5.
  4. Carter, Sarah. "Making Newcomers in Western Canada Monogamous". The Importance of Being Monogamous: Marriage and Nation Building in Western Canada to 1915 (PDF). University of Alberta Press. ISBN 9780888644909. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. Brennan, Brian (2002). "Paddy Nolan and Caroline "Mother" Fulham". Scoundrels and scallywags : characters from Alberta's past. Calgary: Fifth House. pp. 32–38. ISBN 978-1-894004-92-3. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  6. Smith, Donald B. (2005). "Neighbours Alfred Terrill and Paddy Nolan". Calgary's grand story : the making of a prairie metropolis from the viewpoint of two heritage buildings. Calgary, Alta.: University of Calgary Press. pp. 65–80. ISBN 9781552381748.
  7. MacEwan, Grant (1975). "Caroline "Mother" Fulham: The Lady Kept Pigs". And mighty women too : stories of notable western Canadian women. Saskatoon, Sask. : Western Producer Prairie Books. pp. 119–126. ISBN 978-0-919306-65-3. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  8. "A Citizen for All Centuries". Calgary Herald. 21 January 1975. p. 6.
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