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Book One
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Mary Hutchinson was born
She was born to a simple religious family. Her father had given her the opportunity to go to further education because he had never had that as a young man. She was trained as a dress maker so she could have employment all her life. She is also a very bright and cheerful person. "She was so bright and cheery and brave." This shows how she was a very optimistic and looking forward to life. She had opportunity to have a good life. It was very idealistic sort of life. -
Mary Hutchison met John Wilson
She had started working at Grossart Drapers when she was eighteen. There she met John Wilson who was an attractive young man .She was the light and happiness to his morose and moodiness. " ...her sunny disposition complemented his moody intense nature." It is shown how they are juxtapositions of each other. The contrast between these two characters is quite plain even from the start. John Wilson was drawn to her because of the contrast. I think everyone wants a little sunshine in their lives. -
Mary and John start courting
John and Mary were getting to know each other. As they were courting they were seriously considering marriage. This was more than gossip. They did take time to get to know one another before going on to the next stage in their lives. " They had known each other for four years, courting for three of them, before they married on January 1,1908." This shows how it wasn't an arranged marriage where they met on the day of the marriage. It was love or what gave an appearance of love. -
John and Mary get married
John proposed to her and she accepted. This proposal was in August of 1906. John had said that "he would blow his brains out." This would have happened if Mary hadn't said yes to his proposal. They got married in Carluke and had a honey moon in Dublin. They seemed the perfect devoted couple at this point in the story. Although a hint of John Wilson's darker nature had come out with what he said would happen if she said no. It was foreshadowing for what was to come. -
George was born
This was Mary and John's first child.This way of life seemed perfect. This was an ideal life with a loving father and devoted mother as well as a son to carry on the family name to the next generation. " Wilson was a good father. As soon as he could walk, the boy was his constant companion, following his father everywhere..." This shows how close John was to his son. He was the perfect caring father for his child. It seemed to good to be true and as it turned out it was. -
John Wilson left Scotland
After the scandal around the ways John tried to safe the family business he felt unwelcome. This made him want to leave until the scandal died down. John left his family with Mary being six months pregnant. This shows how John Wilson had the habit of running away from his problems until his problems come and find him. -
John moves to Saskatoon
Saskatoon was known as a building city where infrastructure was popping up almost over night. In this city there were jobs that were available for everyone although soon the building boom would end. The propaganda about Saskatoon was one of the draws of the city. " The Fastest Growing City in the World," this was partly true because a lot of building were being built at this time. There were jobs available for those who wanted them. This was the city that John moved to. -
John works on the University Bridge
This bridge was and is right beside the University of Saskatchewan campus. Hence its' name of the University Bridge "The handsome stone buildings of the university were rising on the high south bank of the river." This shows the growing population because a university is being built for people to get a higher education. This job didn't last very long but at this time John is still devoted to Mary. Saskatoon at this time was truly a growing city. -
Helen was born
This child was born after John went to Canada. Mary nearly died giving birth to her. It could have been from child bed fever which was common before antibiotics and proper hand washing techniques of doctors. " If Polly (Mary) hoped the news that he had a daughter would bring Jack home , she was disappointed." This shows how John is a man of his word at this point. However he doesn't want to come home. John doesn't want to face the scandal of his actions. -
John joins the NWMP
Originally John wanted to join the army but he was rejected because of his weak lungs. A fortnight later John saw the NWMP livery stable. He fulfilled the requirements for the job and so he joined. NWMP stands for the North West Mounted Police. This was the police force of the prairies at this time in history. -
John Wilson comes to Blaine Lake
This was his first assignment as a Mountie after he graduated from the academy. " In the town of Blaine Lake, everyone noticed the new policeman who arrived in July 1915.Jack (John) Wilson cut a striking figure in the RNWMP uniform". This shows how people noticed him and John Wilson enforced the law dutifully at this point. He was proud to be a Mountie as they are called. -
John meets Jessie
John Patterson invited the Mountie to supper one night and that is where he meets Jessie. "... a willowy sixteen-year-old with a lovely high-cheekboned face and thick brown hair." This is the family where John finds a home with often spending time with these people. This home away from home becomes important to John in the coming months. John is often away from Blaine Lake and his quarters were small and barren. -
John Wilson gets TB
In the summer of 1917 John Wilson found out from the doctor that he had tuberculosis. " I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Jack,but you have TB."Jessie and her family didn't want John to die so they helped him through this illness. Jessie did nurse him so that he would recover. John had been discharged from the Mounties after finding out he had TB. He was told to quarantine himself in a tent but the Patterson's thought it was too cruel. Because during the height of his illness it was winter. -
Marys decides to go to Canada to look for John
On this date Mary tells her family of her plans to find out whether or not John is alive . She hasn't heard from him in a long time. Her family supports her in this because Mary needs to know if the children have a father or not. " I must go to Canada and look for Jack." After she tells them they have concerns because they have heard that John has or had TB. TB is quite contagious and they are worried for her safety. However her parents agree to take care of the children while she's gone. -
Mary lands in Canada
After waiting until sailing season had started because Mary of course was traveling by ship. She traveled on a ship called Mauretania a luxury ship.Her family helped her to get the necessary funds to afford passage. As well other family and friends gave her money so she won't end up with nothing once she reaches Canada. She was seasick during the journey but she survived to land in Halifax on April 12th 1918. She is fulled with hope of the future and what's to come. -
Mary and John move to Regina
John at this point doesn't want Mary to find out about Jessie through rumor and speculation. So he devises a plan to prevent that from happening by taking Mary farther away from Blaine Lake. It is at this point when child number three is conceived. John doesn't spend very much time with Mary and he is not devoted to her at all. -
Mary finds out about Jessie
While Mary and John were living in Regina, Mary, while John is out with friends at the Station uncovers one of Jessie's letters to him. She is very upset about this as it states "... I'm glad you are saving money for our wedding, too." This shows how John has the plan to marry Jessie even though he is already married to Mary. -
John moves back to Saskatoon
Most likely to escape Mary and the guilt he may have felt John moved. Although it may have been simply to have the chance to spend time with Jessie. He was closer to Jessie in Saskatoon than in Regina. " He left Polly (Mary) behind,and another hiatus began." It shows at this point how not devoted John is to Mary. John is more concern about Jessie than Mary. -
John continues his relationship with Jessie
Even though Mary is just a short train ride away John continues to see Jessie. Jessie on her part is deeply in love with John. John worries about how Mary is so close and she could visit him at any time and unexpectedly. " Her sudden arrival from Scotland and her appearance at the Station that night had made him edgy." This shows how John doesn't want Mary to spoil the life he will have with Jessie. His is a different person in Canada without a hint of scandal touching him. -
John murders his wife Mary
John picked Mary up at the train station in Saskatoon. He had said the plan was to go to Blaine Lake and explain things to Jessie. Mary at this time was expecting their third child. Mary thought this was a good idea. "Let the girl see that Jack (John) had a wife in the family way, almost six months along. " On the way to Blaine Lake Mary was killed by a shot gun with a bullet to the head. John buried her in the surrounding area in a shallow grave. -
John marries Jessie
Before John murders Mary he buys a marriage license. After she is dead he marries Jessie. On this marriage license John had told the person that he was a bachelor even though he is obviously not a bachelor. The reverend remarks that "They're not so nervous when they're younger." This is most likely reference to Jessie's young age over John's as he is in his thirties or so. However it exposes one of his lies because John wasn't a bachelor he was a married man.
