Author brings to life history of F.A. Burton, Burke Creek Ranch

By Rob Vogt
It is a story that spans decades.
It is a story of hard work, perseverance and dedication.
It is the story of F.A. (Fred) Burton and his journey to establishing and growing Burke Creek Ranch west of Claresholm.
His grandson Randy Burton has penned a history of his grandfather, titled “If the Grass Could Talk: In Search of the Trailblazing F.A. Burton.”
He was at the Claresholm and District Museum station building on May 12, where more than 50 people turned out to hear him talk about his book and read two excerpts from it.
He was introduced by Catherine Buhmiller of the Friends of the Claresholm and District Museum, who put on the event.
She described him as an awesome author – and her cousin.
Burton grew up at the Burke Creek Ranch west of Claresholm, where it was established in the 1890s.
Two of his brothers, Rick and Jay, managed the ranch.
Meanwhile, Randy pursued a career in journalism with the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix and Western Producer, and worked for the Saskatchewan government and Potash Corp.
He has spent six years researching and writing “If the Grass Could Talk”.
On one level it is a family history, but on another level a history of southern Alberta.
Burton opened by noting the image on the cover of the book is his brother Rick, moving cattle in Trout Creek, two miles from where his grandfather F.A. Burton homesteaded in 1892.
He then discussed why he wrote the book.
Randy had been reading some history, when he realized something.
“Grandpa’s got a fascinating story – why don’t I write it,” he said.
His grandfather F.A. Burton succeeded through limited means, got married and raised five boys.
The book chronicles Burton’s time from his arrival in Alberta in the 1880s to his death in 1951.
Starting out, Burton had zero experience with cattle.
However, he went to work for various ranchers and lived a hand-to-mouth experience for 10 years.
He squatted on land waiting for it to be surveyed, and saved his money to buy a small herd of cattle.
Randy Burton then read from a chapter detailing how the ranch was almost stillborn, stopped before it started.
He also read from a chapter later in his grandfather’s life, about a less than ideal employee he had.
Afterwards, Burton took questions.
People wanted to know how long it took him to write the book and where he did his research.
Burton responded he started in 2019, with a pamphlet from a historical society.
“I kept plugging away with every source I could think of,” he said.
Burton interviewed two of his cousins who knew his grandfather; dug through cattle magazines and newspapers; and did research online, at the Glenbow Archive and the provincial archives.
The result was “If the Grass Could Talk: In Search of the Trailblazing F.A. Burton.”
“Thank you so much for all coming out and bringing this story to life,” he concluded.