demanding more rations. Commissioner French decided to establish camp at Sweet Grass Hills, Montana. Commissioner French and a small detachment headed south to Fort Benton, Montana, U.S.A. to obtain supplies and  to telegram Ottawa for orders.

Commissioner French returned with new provisions and new orders. Divisions B, C, and F were to continue west to stop illegal whiskey traders. Divisions D and E were to return to Swan River, Manitoba, where the government had established the Headquarters of the Force. At Swan River, Divisions D and E were supposed to find excellent barracks. Commissioner French and Divisions D and E turned back towards Manitoba.

They arrived in Swan River in early October to find a row of flimsily constructed buildings built out in the open. A prairie fire had burned up most of the hay so there was little food for the animals. Commissioner French and D Division returned to Dufferin while Division E remained to harvest hay and fix the barracks. In July, 1875, the government decided to move the force's headquarters to Fort MacLeod, Alberta. So most of Divisions D and E marched the 1150 miles westward.

During J. B. Mitchell's tour of duty, he was present at the signing of treaties with the Cree and Six Nations. His signature can be found on Treaty 6. In 1877, J. B. Mitchell's three year contract for the N. W. M. P. was over. He decided not to renew his contract and return to civilian life.

He remembered Winnipeg as a place of opportunities and returned there. In 1888, he was elected to the Winnipeg City School Board and four years later he was appointed Architect and Commissioner of School Buildings and Supplies. Over his career there were many changes. The student population bloomed from 5 000 to 40 000. Along with his superintendent, Daniel McIntyre, J. B. Mitchell designed, created and over saw the building of approximately 48 new schools. His designs were unique as he kept student safety, spaciousness and lighting in mind. His designs were large, eloquent and safe.

Some of the many schools that J. B. Mitchell designed were the original Earl Grey School, Gladstone School, King Edward School, St. John's School, Dufferin School, Kelvin School, Somerset School, Norquay School, LaVerendrye School, Lord Selkirk School, Laura Secord School, Greenway School, Isbister School, Florence Nightingale School, Faraday School, David Livingstone School, General Wolfe School, George V School, Isaac Brock School, Isaac Newton School, Wolseley School, and Strathcona School which he named after heroes of the British Empire, with the exception of LaVerendrye School.