CHAPTER 4: NEW ORDERS
ROYAL NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE REPORT ON THE POSTING OF THE TOWN OF HOPE VALLEY
Constable Jack Thornton Sr graduated with honors from the academy and was a third generation Legacy. Upon completion of his supervision period, he was given a posting to Cape Fullerton. But enroute his posting got changed to Coal Valley as their town Constable. This was due to a request received by Hamilton Shipping Tycoon William Thatcher because his daughter, Elizabeth Thatcher, who was being assigned to teach there. Constable Thornton demanded an immediate transfer to Cape Fullerton which was granted after 1 year to original posting, He was relieved by Constable Patrick O Reilly for a short period. Coal Valley had a huge mine disaster 3 months prior to him reporting. This town has seen a lot of loss. The explosion in the mine killed forty-seven men that day. At the prayer vigil held by the families and the company the church burned. Constable Thornton began an initial investigation into the mine disaster and church fire. He determined that the church was determined not arson and was ruled accidental. In the Mine disaster he found cause for further investigation and notified Inspector Bill Avery. Inspector Avery and Constable Thornton were able to conclusively determine unsafe conditions by fault of the mining company. Thanks to Bill Avery and Samantha Madison the prosecutor the widows and mothers of those men prevailed against the mining company. Henry Gowen tried to cast blame on the supervisor Noah Stanton by producing a false mine inspection report. However, because of due diligence the prosecutor produced the Supervisor's copy proving theirs was fraudulent. It had been given to one of the widows for safekeeping. The judge in the case shut down the mine permanently however Lee Coulter chose to open a sawmill which led to growth of the town the same time. During his tenure he was credited with the capture of two high profile gangs and the Tate Brothers who escaped from prison. While enroute to his new posting he and Constable Patrick O'Reilly were able to capture the Tolliver Gang who had kidnapped Miss Thatcher and her sister that was visiting. He was noted for his unique problem solving and Leadership abilities. In the capture of the Tolliver Gang, he and O'Reilly used horses and red tablecloths to simulate many Mounties surrounding them. This resulted in not one bullet shot or injuries. He was given his choice of assignments and a reward for this capture as did Constable Patrick O'Reilly. He chose to be reassigned to Coal Valley as their Constable. He also led the capture of the Garrison Gang. His leadership ability enabled him to coordinate the rescue of trapped and injured miners of the Silverton Mine caused by a landslide. While also coordinating the evacuation of the Settlement that was in the path of a flash flood. He was also handpicked to lead a division into the Northern Territories for an indefinite posting and served for 1 year.
Constable Thornton was killed in the Line of Duty while leading a Training mission through the mountains at Fort Clay. He saved two recruits at the expense of his own life due to a landslide 1 week before going home. It was his intention to leave the Mounties when he completed this posting. He left behind his wife Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton and a son Jack Thornton Jr. Jack and Elizabeth Thornton were only recently married 2 weeks prior to his posting at Fort Clay. His son was born 6 months after his death. His wife still serves as the schoolteacher in Hope Valley and Constable Thornton's pension is still being processed. His remains are interred in the Hope Valley cemetery. Constable Thornton was assigned by Headquarters to replace Constable Nathan Grant who was under disciplinary actions awarded by Superintendent Hargraves. He was later cleared of wrongdoing upon further review and found innocent of charges. Constable Grant was granted immediate transfer to Fort Simpson. Coal Valley was renamed Hope Valley when the mine shut down. Bill Avery currently serves as Sheriff and was appointed by Constable Thornton. There has not been a replacement yet for the position of Constable. The pension request is still pending for Mrs. Jack Thornton.
From: Headquarters, Northwest Mounted Police
To: Constable, Nathan Archibald Grant
Subj: NEW POSTING ICO CONSTABLE GRANT
You are hereby ordered to report to Hope Valley per your request on or before 3/14/1917. You will serve as the Constable until further notice. However, as you know you may still be called to help at the discretion of Mountie HQ. Any further questions should be referred to Superintendent Patrick O'Reilly. Currently your file shows one dependant Allison Mayes Parks 10 years old. Your lodging has already been taken care of by the town Mayor Mrs. Abigail Stanton. Your household goods will be transferred to your new posting. Allowances will be made for the transporation of your horse and boarding as well as any necessary protective equipment.
Commander Allen Parsons, Northwest Mounted Police
When he got home, Allie had prepared a stew for their dinner, so he set the table. As they began to eat, she began talking about her day at school. Nathan begame preoccupied thinking about how to tell Allie about the move. He thought about all the packing that needed to be done to be ready to leave in 2 days. What he would do with her while he got settled before bringing her to Hope Valley.
He was so distracted that he was unaware that Allie had stopped talking with a worried look on her face. She noticed he was not listening which was unusual for her uncle. She knew something was weighing on his mind and he wasn't paying attention. Allie knew it because he hadn't responded to her questions. So, fear began to rise in her thinking he was going to have to go on a long assignment somewhere.
"Uncle Nathan, are you ok? You seem like something is bothering you. Can I help? Are you going to have to go out of town again? Is it a long assignment?" Allie asked.
At her questions and the fear he could hear in her voice as she asked, he finally looked up.
"I'm sorry Allie what did you say?" he asked.
"I asked if you were all right because I can tell your worried about something. You haven't been listening and I am worried you are having to go out of town for a long time."
"I'm sorry honey, I am fine I promise Allie! I just have a lot of things on my mind that I need to get done in the next few days. Let's just finish our dinner and then clean up the kitchen." Then I promise we will talk about everything. Will that be, Okay?"
"Sure Uncle Nathan we can do that." Allie agreed.
After the dishes were done Nathan had her sit next to him on the sofa.
"Allie, I need for you to listen until I am completely finished before you ask questions, OK? Can you do that for me?" as she nodded he continued. "Thank you, sweetheart. I have a new posting and we are moving in 2 days. It is a place called Hope Valley and I will be the Constable. From what I understand it is rural and not in the city. As the Constable I will be responsible for keeping law and order in the town and we will live in a house. There is a school too so there will be kids and I am sure we can find a fishing hole. Also, its close to Uncle Gabe's posting so we can see him a lot more. But you will have to go stay with Grandma for a week or two until I get things settled. OK I am done, and now you may talk or ask questions."
"Uncle Nathan I haven't been crazy about living here so I am ok with leaving. But do I really have to go to Grandma's? Why can't I go with you and help you get everything set up too. It's not that I don't like grandma because I love seeing her. But it's where she lives because it's in the city and there's nothing to do. Plus, I do not like being away from you when I do not have to be. Uncle Nathan we aren't moving because something happened like at Fort Clay, are we?" she asked with worry.
Nathan told her that he had requested the posting but not the main reason why. He told her that he wanted them to be off a base and in a real home. One where they could make friends and settle down maybe even put down some roots. They would hopefully find a fishing hole that they could always go to. Plus, it would allow him to do something different and challenging as a Mountie. But warned her that there would still be times he would have to go out of town. He also told her he hoped to find someone who would watch her and not shuffle her around all the time. Nathan also explained that he didn't like being away from any more than he had to. But he didn't know for sure when their housing would be ready to move in or where they would place him until it was. SInce he didn't know he wasn't taking any chances with her. So that was why she had to go to her grandmas. He promised her he would make their separation as short as possible. Now that it was settled, they began to plan how best to complete their packing before turning in. Over the next 2 days the packing of their household went quick. He had picked up his orders and Mrs. Thornton's check already the day before. So, the next morning he took Allie to the train station and told her that her grandma would meet her at the other end. After meeting up with the attendant who would take care of her on the train, he set off for Hope Valley, orders and report in hand which he needed to study. He owed Jack Thornton and would do everything he could to protect those he loved. He closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.
