The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder (17 page)

Earl glided over to his carriage with his usual smoothness and reached into the back. He pulled out a stack of encyclopedias, the thirteen volumes of the Ridpath set he had told them about.

“I want you boys to have these. They're not much use to someone who already knows more about the world than he wants to know. Maybe they'll help you with your schooling or help pass the time this winter,” he said.

“But don't touch my Saskatoon berries!” he added with a flourish. “Those are mine.”

“Thanks, Mr. Wright!” said John enthusiastically. “Look, Mother,” added Elmer. “Our own encyclopedias!” Mary beamed and thanked Earl for his generosity, telling him he should drop in next week because she just might need a few kitchen spices replenished.

***

As the Diefenbaker wagon travelled alongside the train station

on its way out of Borden, Mary bumped William on the arm and discreetly pointed. William slowed the wagon and then stopped, only a few feet away from a woman who was surrounded by three large suitcases as she sat on the train platform bench. Gertrude's Schneider's long brown dress was wrinkled and worn and her hair, as always, was tied tightly into a bun.

From the west, an east-bound steam train sounded its powerful whistle, signalling that it was almost at Borden. Mary got out of the wagon and approached Gertrude, while everyone else waited.

Gertrude's face wore the same bleak mask ever since the last full moon, where, under its splendid light, her husband had been murdered.

“Gertrude, did you hear they captured the man who killed Hans?” asked Mary, gently approaching. Silence.

“They got him, Gertrude. He won't hurt anyone again,” Mary said.

Mary desperately wanted this to mean something, but Gertrude only stared at her. Didn't it mean something? The powerful steam whistle of the train began to sound louder as it got closer to the train station.

Gertrude finally nodded in understanding.

“Did Hans come back?” she asked in her limited English. Mary was taken aback by the question. “No, no of course

not. No one can bring Hans back.”

“That's right,” she said calmly. “No one can bring Hans back. Good bye, Mary.” Gertrude placed her cold hand on Mary's briefly and squeezed it.

Before Mary could reply the steam whistle belched its great sounds into the morning air again, as the train pulled up and stopped at Borden's station. Mary gave her a stiff hug. She also wanted to say something else, but bit her tongue. Mary walked briskly towards the wagon with the realization that Gertrude had really left the Canadian West days ago under the light of the full moon.

A man loaded her suitcases into a train car. Mary saw only Gertrude's back as she boarded the train. She tried to picture the older woman in her beloved Germany, living out the rest of her life with memories of happier days.

***

At the Diefenbaker homestead, morning broke with quiet promise. The red sun leaked above the horizon, spreading mythic fires of red, gold and orange. Bathed in this light, its rough edges smoothed by nature's deft hand, the homestead seemed nearly an oasis to John after recent events.

As he milked the cows, John reflected on how much he already missed Summer, even though it had only been a day

and a half since she went back to the reservation. He looked through the barn door opening and could see Prairie Dancer grazing with Blue and Skipper. She still had to come back for her horse, he thought happily. As well, she was usually able to visit during the harvest, which would begin in about two weeks. Soon the work crews would be here, too, making it the busiest time of year.

As he milked, John could hear something faint in the background, but it wasn't clear to him what the distant sound was. “John!” called his father. “Come out here!” John knew that his father and uncle were still working on the well while his mother and brother worked on gathering eggs and cleaning out the chicken coop. He wondered what all the excitement could be about. He set his milk pail down and quickly walked out of the barn. In the distance, a large dust cloud was moving closer and in the centre of it was a burst of horses that seemed to be charging toward the Diefenbaker homestead.

“What's going on?” asked John nervously. Elmer had already come out of the chicken coop and was staring, too.

“I'm not sure,” said William, getting a better grip on the tool he was carrying. “Who are they, Ed?”

Ed squinted. “They're Indian, I think. But what tribe? Whoever they are, there're about forty of them…and they're picking up speed.”

“Land sakes,” said Mary, who was nervous because of the shouting.

As the broncos approached, the Diefenbakers steeled themselves for the unknown.

“Hey!” said John. “Isn't that Chief Five Hawk's headdress?” Elmer agreed. “Yes! It's the Cree! And there's Summer… with her father!”

Just before the Cree reached the homestead they fanned out and surrounded the Diefenbakers in dramatic fashion, shouting the entire time. To the left of Chief Five Hawks was River's Voice and Summer riding together on the same horse, since Prairie Dancer was still with the Diefenbakers. When they came to a stop, William stepped forward.

“Welcome, Chief Five Hawks,” said William, still not sure what was going on.

“Thank you, William Diefenbaker. We ride in big numbers today to honour you and your family.”

Chief Five Hawks dismounted, as did River's Voice, who could not have looked more jubilant. All the other riders remained on their horses, their faces satisfied looking and fixed on the Diefenbakers in knowing smiles. River's Voice spoke next.

“I would still be in jail if not for your family, William,” he said, shaking his hand firmly. “I will never forget your family's kindness to me. Never, ever.”

“We knew you couldn't have done what they said,” said William truthfully. “I have to say, John here led the way in doing something about it.”

John grinned shyly, realizing he wasn't exactly acting like the self-assured speech-maker who captivated a large audience and prevented a riot only two nights ago.

“I had a lot of help from my brother and Summer,” said John honestly.

“We appreciate what all of you did,” said River's Voice to everyone, smiling at Elmer, Mary, William, and Ed, too. “But it was you, John Diefenbaker, who had courage to push the police to re-think things. Without you, without a belief in the truth from you, I would not be with my daughter right now. I would not be with my band.” He bowed briefly to John, shook his hand, and then stepped back to let Chief Five Hawks speak.

“You gave River's Voice the gift of freedom, John Diefenbaker. And it is an old Cree custom to honour the giver with a gift just as good or greater,” said the old chief.

“But freedom has no equal, no greater, so what can I do? What can an old chief do?” he asked with wry smile, stroking his chin.

“What I can do, then,” Chief Five Hawks answered himself, “is make you a chief, too.”

Chief Five Hawks motioned John forward and Mary gave him a small push at the centre of his back so his feet would

begin to work.

Chief Five Hawks placed a hand on John's shoulder. “Among us you are now Chief Thunder Eagle, for defending freedom and truth. May you always see clearly, John Diefenbaker. May you always have sight like the great eagle.” Chief Five Hawks added one more thought. “May others one day benefit from this sight.” John looked back at his father who beamed with pride. “I'm honoured, Chief Five Hawks. Thank you very much,” said John.

“John Diefenbaker!” yelled River's Voice in a powerful voice with his fist raised in the air.

“John Diefenbaker!” everyone yelled at once, following suit, as all of the horses and riders began to shift and move with excitement.

Elmer let out an unrestrained whoop of joy for the honour his big brother received.

“To John Dief! Our best chief! Hey, Dief the Chief!” Elmer yelled.

Everyone laughed while Mary sized up her eldest son. “Around this homestead, chiefs still milk their cows and clean up chicken coops, just so you know.”

“Yes, Mother,” said John smiling.

“I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those
who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

From the Canadian Bill of Rights,
July 1, 1960

Adopted by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker

A NOTE TO THE READER

Truth and Authenticity in
The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder

DON'T READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK! SPOILER ALERT!

Although
The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder
is a work of fiction, there are many authentic themes, aspects, and details that I have tried to capture in the work. This is a brief commentary on these details and the list is by no means comprehensive.

All family names and personalities mentioned are as accurate as possible. This extends beyond the nuclear family even to other mentioned names. For instance, William's brother Duncan really did send the family apples from Ontario from time to time. Henry Diefenbaker actually did visit from Waukegan, Illinois earlier that summer. The reference to John and his Uncle Ed nearly freezing to death in a blizzard the previous winter is also accurate.

All of the historical discussions are accurate. As an example, the details of the rebellion as explained by Sergeant English and the Diefenbaker's comments are all true.

Section Eight, Township 418, was the actual homestead of the Diefenbaker family.The water well was a constant problem for the Diefenbakers. Having access to clean water was an ongoing struggle for them. A doctor really did tell William he should move out West for his health.

The sleeping arrangements for the Diefenbakers were just as described, with John at his Uncle Ed's and Elmer sleeping in his parents' kitchen.

The Long River Band is a made-up name for Summer's Cree band, as was its proximity to the Diefenbaker homestead. However, many

steps were taken to ensure the Plains Cree lifestyle was accurately reflected, from language to customs, such as the naming ceremony.

Little touches were added, such as ensuring the song
All in Jesus
was real, and that it was a hymn written before 1908, when the story takes place. The advent of the telephone was very new in Saskatchewan at this time, with only a few hundred households owning the technology.

Some things were added that were adapted from John Diefenbaker's invaluable memoirs. For instance, he observed Indians catching rabbits by hand. In a flashback, John's thoughts are of young Summer Storm catching the rabbit with bare hands.

The distance between the village of Borden and the Diefenbaker homestead is a reasonable approximation.

American whisky smugglers really were a problem.

Summer Storm is fictional, as are all the other First Nation characters. However, their involvement in the story was meant to represent the importance John Diefenbaker ascribed to First Nations peoples. In his years as prime minister, Diefenbaker would extend the right to vote to First Nations people and received many honours from various First Nations chiefs. He also appointed James Gladstone to the Senate, the first Aboriginal Canadian ever appointed to the upper chamber.

When John asks his father about whether or not there is monetary help for the character of Gertrude once her husband dies, his father tells him that no such a thing exists. In the story he finds this unfair. Creating widow's pensions is something John Diefenbaker would one day address when he became prime minister.

The dream John has of the eagle, the buffalo on two legs and the many spotted horses were meant to symbolize some of the actual honours given to the former prime minister by First Nations peoples.

A prairie fire nearly did destroy the Diefenbaker homestead and it was saved by ploughing furrows around the home.

When Chief Five Hawks reflects on what the Queen Mother promised, these are direct quotes from Cree author, Joseph F. Dion, in his book My Tribe, the Crees. The author is describing an occurrence at Fort Pitt through an interpreter.

John and Elmer were forbidden to swim in the North Saskatchewan River and neither boy was a good swimmer. However, their ability with horses was strong and both were able to ride bareback.

The idea of the prisoner escape from the train is also based on a real pioneer story. I got the idea from a book that featured actual Canadian prairie homesteaders reminiscing about their memories of this time. One man recalled asking the train's engineer whenever it stopped in the evening “Got any tonight, mister?” referring to prisoners. Although he did not mention any escapes, this provided the germ of idea for that scene.

Mary really did sell butter in Rosthern, as the story mentions. By 1908, it is unclear whether or not she still did but it is a good guess that this means of extra family income continued. Langham was simply chosen for its proximity to the storyline.

The Langham Bruderthaler Mennonite Church was built before 1908.

It still stands to this day.

We don't know of any experiences John Diefenbaker may or may not have had with black immigrants in the Canadian West. I thought it important to acknowledge their settlement story through a cameo appearance of a character that ends up playing a pivotal role in the capture of a criminal in the book. The young man, Matthew Carver, hails from Rosetown, Saskatchewan which really was one of the larger settlements of black Canadians in the west at this time.

Bellevue was a real Métis community.

There is an inside joke in Chapter 15. Sergeant English says that even Cyrus Ramsey's own defence lawyer will not represent him because it went against his principles. The reporter learns that the lawyer was named Arthur Meighen. Meighen, Canada's ninth prime minister, was actually a Winnipeg defence lawyer in 1908 when this story takes place. Meighen was known for his integrity and since I am also the author of Arthur Meighen: The Ferocious Debater Who Stuck to His Principles, I thought it would be amusing to bring him into the storyline.

In John Diefenbaker's memoirs, he talks fondly of the family owning a broken set of Ridpath Encyclopedias. I thought it would be interesting to suggest how the family acquired them.

Chief Five Hawks honours John with the title Chief Thunder Eagle.

This is actually one of the honourary titles John accepted in real life, although after he became prime minister. Some of the other titles were Chief Many Spotted Horses and Chief Walking Buffalo, the symbols from his dream.

For nicknames as prime minister, John Diefenbaker actually did become known as The Chief, or Dief the Chief.

REFERENCES

Diefenbaker, John G.,
One Canada: Memoirs of the Right
Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, Scarborough, Signet. 1978

Dion, Joesph F.,
My Tribe, the Crees
, Calgary, Glen Bow Museum. 1979, p. 76-77

McNeil, Bill,
Voice of the Pioneer
, Toronto, Macmillan. 1978