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John and Polly Get Married
John Wilson met Polly Hutchison in 1904, the got engaged in August 1906 and Married Jan. 1, 1908. Both were head over heals in love, John claiming he'd 'Blow his brains out' if Polly refused his proposal. -
John Becomes a Criminal
Alex Wilson's heart was not in the grocery trade and he ran the business to the ground from pure laziness alone. In attempt to save his families business and pay off the debts, John stole money outright from his father-in-law, tarnishing his name and reputation. This theft was futile and the once thriving grocery and grain business was foreclosed October 1911. -
John Wilson Sets Sail
John purchased his ticket July of 1912, Polly was six months Pregnant and George was distraught. Jack promised it would only be for a year so that the towns folk would pass over the dent to the Wilson name. The boat was packed and squishy; most of the 12 or so days were spent on the deck surrounded by fresh air. From Halifax John took a train out west, immigrants belongings piled high in the compartments. "It was Alex's fault for making him an exile. Polly kept every letter." -
Polly Gives Birth
Polly and John's Daughter Ella is born. Polly fell ill with childbed fever, she hoped the birth would bring Jack home. -
Jack Becomes a Mountie
Jack went to the recruitment office to apply for the Canadian army in attempt to get back to the home country. He eventually got rejected form the army because of his poor lungs. He then joined the RNWMP in hopes of being chosen as a military troops to go overseas -
John Wilson Can't Grow Tomatoes
John slowly learnt that prairies weather wasn't the most pleasant. In 1914 labour work began to become less needed and John moved out to Prince Albert with the hopes of starting a tomato business. He quickly learnt that hail was not on his side and stood amoung his ruined plants. -
John Moves to Blaine Lake
John recited his oath and was officially a Mountie, His duties consisted of lunatic duty and keeping the Doukabours at bay. While in Blaine Lake, John becomes close with the Patterson family, especially 16 year old Jessie. Their feelings for each other began to grow. John enlisted a second time in 1916, another rejection. -
John Lies for the *First* Time
When John Patterson confronts Jack about his marital status he lies and says that his wife died before he left Scotland. After his tuberculosis diagnosis Jessie takes care of him throughout the entirety of the winter of 1917. At some point through the winter John proposes to Jessie. He informs Jessie that his wife is not dead, just of "loose morals' and a horrible person, and that their divorce would soon be final. -
The Unfortunate First Foot
Polly spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone. She decides she is going to make the journey to Canada and informs her family as such. First foot is a Scottish holiday in which the first person to walk through the threshold predicts your year. A Redhead walks through the door foreshadowing Polly's plan is a bad idea. -
John Lies for the Second Time
John forges two letters from his 'dying sister' Mary advising the divorce that Jessie would make a fine wife for Jack. -
Polly Sails the Mauretania
Polly's journey across the Atlantic was less squishy than Johns. She had a modest cabin and lots of other wives awaiting their husbands as companions. Although they did have to be careful of German submarines possibly sinking the boat. Polly boarded a train from Halifax and admired the view to Regina. -
Love Triangles 101
Jack was at the Mountie office attempting to get back home (to acquire divorce papers) when a call arrives at the station. It was Polly Wilson, Jacks wife was in Canada. -
The Wilsons Are Reunited
John was agonizing over his drive to go visit Polly and Jack stating it was so unfair. This victimization is characteristic of Jack, blaming everything on anyone but himself. "Their marital relations resumed immediately. Terrible of him, "taking advantage" of her like that, some would say..." (51). At this point Jack doesn't really care about anyone's feelings but his own, he doesn't seem to have regrets about using Polly as such, and leaving her for periods as a pregnant women. -
Polly Finds a Letter
It was hot in the summer of 1918 and Polly Wilsons pregnancy was dragging on. Jack wasn't there for her the way he should've been and Polly was feeling it. He was struggling to afford and manage this double life and it was beginning to slip out of his control. One day Polly found a letter from jessie in Johns coat pocket. her hopes fell and she read the letter. -
John's Drinking
Polly was shocked and hurt when she found out Jack had proposed to Jessie. She contemplated contacting Jessie and informing her about Jacks marriage and kids. When Polly went out to confront John about it he told her she had no business being in the establishment. Polly did eventually ask John what was going on, "I don't know how Jessie got that idea, I've been trying to break it off with her..." (60) Nobody knew this was the early days of his drinking habit. -
Jessie Wants Divorce Papers
Divorce was not common in the early 1900's but Jessie wanted proof that Jack was no longer married. The wedding kept getting moved and Jessies parents were getting suspicious. -
Polly Treats Herself
Jack decided it would be wise to move Polly to Saskatoon with his new job. She packs everything up and has the trunks moved. She says goodbye to Mrs. Wismer and all the patrons who were so nice to her during her stay in Regina. At the train station there is a man selling corsages, Polly treats herself to babies breath and red roses. She promises she'll write. -
John Buys a Marriage License
John nervously walks into the jewelry shop, sweating bullets, and purchases his marriage license. This foreshadows that something is going to happen to Polly if John is able to marry Jessie. -
Jack Crashes and Burns
Jack overcome by his very recent actions and the influence of alcohol crashes the Dort. He walks to a nearby farm and explains what happened, a fire started and he drive into the culvert in attempt to put it out. When the other farmers arrive he retells the story. A fire started in the back that caused him to crash. The fire had started in the front of the vehicle. -
Goodbye Polly
It was late and dark on the drive out. Polly began to get a bad feeling. John was out shooting a rabbit and some geese when he points the gun at her. "At the loud explosion, the good, generous heart of Polly Wilson stopped beating." (79). When the guilt and reality of what Jack had done set in he was violently sick. Although he managed to dig a shallow grave under a culvert. -
John and Jessie (Finally) Get Married
A few days after the crime, John finally marries Jessie at a small intimate ceremony. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." (87)
