Chapter 25

New Duties and Responsibilities

Jack walked into the NWMP office and was soluted by all three Mounties. He returned their solute. Ok let's have a meeting, say in, as he looked at his pocket watch his Ma had gave him, ten minutes. I want to go over some things and get an idea of how this office is run.

With my new duties and responsibilities I want to get a feel of everything. We'll make some changes. A few minutes later the four were in the conference room when there was a knock on the door. Jack said, come in. The door opens and a Mountie walks in. He says, I'm Constable Timothy O'Sullivan sir. I have my transfer papers here. Jack takes them and looks them over. He says, you're fresh out of the academy it says. Yes sir, I graduated a month ago.

You are Sargent Thornton, aren't you? Yes, why? Well sir I asked to be stationed here with you. I wanted to learn from one of the best. Well thank you. I will do my best to not let you down. No sir you won't, we've been training to think and react like you. You have high praise at the academy. Ok, take a seat.

Now that we have a fifth man he will take my rounds. I'll ride with O'Sullivan on the south side to show him how far his rounds take in. I'll ride with him for the first week then I'll be in the office every day. I'll move my stuff in my office tomorrow.

Is there anything that needs to be addressed McMurphy on the West side? No sir, all is pretty quiet. Ok good Jack said. McFarlin how about the East side? No sir not really, just a fox getting into some chicken coops. Everyone chuckles and Jack says, ok I'll leave that to you.

Ok that leaves you, McDaniels on the north side. Sir there aren't that many homes out that way. It's mostly wilderness. There's only three homes out there and they're like 3 miles apart. I mostly just make sure there aren't any bears that come to close because it takes me all day. Ok, are you comfortable with that or would you like me to get another Mountie up here to help out with half of it? Well sir if it's possible I would like to have someone with me because if I was to get into trouble out there, I wouldn't have anyway to get help. Ok, I'll get one up here. I want everyone safe, Jack said. How many miles do you cover? About ten or more I guess, Mc Daniels said.

Ok, I have to ask, why did they put all Irish constables up here. They all chuckled and McMurphy replied, you see sir, this use to be an Irish settlement. I guess they still think it is. Jack chuckles and says, ok.

McDaniels, I'll send for a new Constable but he won't be here for about four days. That's fine sir and thank you. You men will find that I'm fair and just but if you screw up I won't think twice about crawling you. I'm not one to send reprimands unless you are so careless. Everyone makes mistakes and I feel like we can handle most everything in this office.

O'Toole you are just in the office sending and receiving telegrams and answering the phone, what other duties do you take care of? I do the filing of reports, send our monthly reports, I make the run to the mercantile for the mail. Ok, that's great. Just make sure you go through all the wanted posters and make sure they are up to date. Take the captured down and write captured across it and file it. I never throw them out. Some times you run across one that ties in with others at a later date. Yes sir, he says.

Ok good first meeting. Don't hesitate to knock on my door. My office door is always open to you. I may be your superior but I'm pretty easy going. If you ever need to talk don't hesitate to come to me, alright? Yes sir they all said.

O'Toole send for another Mountie at my request. Yes sir, right away sir. They may send one from Edmonton sir. That's fine as long as we get one. Let me know when you find out. Yes sir. Jack stands and they all solute.

In his office he looks over the paperwork from the month before, getting an idea of what was going on in his area. He puts a map of his area on the wall in front of his desk. He calls his men in and asks, I want each of you to draw a line all the way around your area, each with a different colored pencil. He pulls his colored pencils out of his Middle desk drawer and lays them on his desk. Each man takes a color and draws a line around his area. Jack takes the same colors and writes the names with their matching color on the edge of the map. He steps back and looks at the map. He draws a line down the center of the map and across the center of the map with a lead pencil. He steps back and looks again, this time it was clear to him.

He called, McDaniel will you step in here for a minute? McDaniel steps into the office and asks, yes sir, do you need anything? Yes and no Jack says. I want you to take a look at this map and tell me what you see.

McDaniel's steps where Jack stood and stares at the map. He rubs his fingers of his left hand across his chin as he was thinking. After what seemed like a long time but was really a few minutes McDaniel's steps up the map and said, sir my area is a lot bigger than the others. Yes it is. That's why it takes you all day to do your rounds, Jack says. It is almost double. So we definitely are getting another man in here to help. You will spit the area in half. That way you both will have plenty of time to get back here and get your reports done in a timely manner. Sounds good sir, and thanks, McDaniel's said. Jack says, your welcome as he pats him on his shoulder.

Today I want you to do a half round on the west half. That should give you plenty of time to get your report done. Yes sir, and sir? Thank you for figuring this out. I've been trying to figure out how come it took me longer to do my rounds ever since I got here over two years ago. I mean I don't mind my area but the others are always back and are done by the time I get back. I don't dilly dally at all, I even eat my lunch while I ride. The only breaks I take is to rest my horse for water. After I get O'Sullivan settled with his area and I'm going to make some rounds with each area so I know what it looks like and to get to know my district. Sounds good sir and thanks again. Jack puts his hand out to shake but McDaniel only solutes. Jack returns the solute.

That afternoon O'Toole knocked on his door and waited. Jack said, come in. O'Toole stepped in and said, I have a message for you sir, it's from Vancouver and hands it to him. Jack takes the paper and says thank you. O'Toole steps back out and goes to his desk.

Jack opens the paper and says, great and rubs his face with his hands. He calls out to O'Toole to get Vancouver on the phone for him. O'Toole comes in and picks up the receiver on Jack's desk, clicks it twice and says, get me Vancouver NWMP Headquarters please. Yes I'll hold, he replied. A minute or two later O'Toole says, hold for Sargent Thornton please and hands the receiver to his Sargent. Jack takes the receiver and says, thanks and close the door behind you. O'Toole does as he was asked.

Jack puts the receiver to his ear and asks, who am I speaking to? The voice on the other end replies, Corporal Burke, Jack what seems to be the problem out there? Jack laughs and says, hey I've got to have one more Mountie out here. The whole north side is covered only by one man. That area is twice as big as the rest.

Look Doug, I've been on the force for almost ten years and I've never had to cover that much at once. I could really use another Mountie out here if I'm going to be able to do my job correctly. Jack, the academy just graduated so let me see what I can do, ok? Ok, and Doug, thanks. Don't thank me yet because I haven't done anything yet. But I know you will, Jack says.

In Calgary at NWMP Headquarters the Mounties behind the desk was laughing. One says, a wire just went to Vancouver from Thornton, he's already asking for more men. He's been a Sargent for what, a week and he can't handle his area?

The other replies, I know. They say he's one of the best so how is it he can't handle the small area of Lecombe? They both laugh but didn't hear the door open. They were still laughing when the man cleared his throat.

O'Riley came out about that time to see what was so funny but stopped in his tracks. Before he could say anything the man put his fingers to his lips. The two men were still laughing. The gentleman stopped and asked, what seems to be so funny about Sargent Thornton? Neither turned around to see who had asked.

One says, oh he's up in Lecombe and is already asking for more men. Boy he has some nerve asking already. He's only been a Sargent for a week. O'Riley had heard enough, he yelled, atenhut! The two men jumped up and stood at attention, still not seeing the gentleman who had just walked in. O'Riley stood at attention as well.

The men knew….and both thought…Deputy Commissioner had walked in but how much had he heard. Deputy Commissioner stopped in front of the desk and said very loudly, now I want you to repeat everything I just heard because I'm pretty sure neither of you knew I was standing there because you were laughing way to hard to hear anything. They both stumbled for their words.

Sir one says, we….were….just….having…..a….little…..fun….at….the…Sargent's…..expense…..sir and swallows really hard but having trouble swallowing his own silava. The Commissioner leans over the desk and yells, there are stall to be cleaned and you both best get to it, understood! Yes sir right away sir. He says, DISMISSED! They both run out the door like scalded dogs. O'Riley speaks up and says, I'm sorry sir. No need to be sorry for someone else's rudeness.

What brings you by today sir? We're just on our way home and thought I would stop by. Well sir everything seems to be good here except for today sir. Well enlighten me. What seems to be the problem with Sargent Thornton? I think you should speak to Burke in Vancouver sir. We only get parts of a wire sir. Ok get him on the phone and give me privacy. Yes sir, right away sir. He gets Vancouver on the phone and hands the receiver to the Commissioner, then leaves the room.

Hello. Burke speaking. Corporal Burke this is Deputy Commissioner Delaney. Yes sir I recognize your voice. What can I do for you? It just came to my attention that Sargent Thornton has requested another Mountie. Yes sir, but how did you find out when I just got off the phone with him about thirty minutes ago. Corporal Burke it doesn't matter how I found out, just that I did. Yes sir.

What I want to know is why he needs another. We just sent one from the academy after this graduation. Well sir he says that he appreciated it. He now can cover all sides but the north side is over ten miles in itself. He says that the one that is covering it, it takes him all day to do so. He thinks if he had another up there then the rounds could be done more efficiently and give them time to get back and get their reports done in a timely manner. Corporal Burke I want a Mountie sent out ASAP, and Corporal Burke? Yes sir? Mums the word. You're a good officer, Corporal Burke! Thank you sir. Burke contacted the academy and asked for the best cadet that graduated. They gave him his name and Burke thanked him and hung up. He sent a wire to the man of his new assignment.

A week later Jack was sitting at his desk looking over the reports for the week. Everything seemed to be quiet but that didn't sit well with him. There was always something going on with something. He stepped out and ask, O'Toole, will you bring me the reports for the month? Yes sir , right away sir. Jack went back to his desk and waited.

He separated all four sides. The north was mostly wilderness so he checked it one more time and signed off on it and set it in the finish pile. He brought the other three down closer so he could get a better look at them. The southside was his old area so he looked over them and signed off on them and set them in the finished pile also.

O'Toole stepped in and handed him the file. Jack thanks him but says, just a minute O'Toole. I want a second set of eyes here. Yes sir? What can I do to help? Jack takes the file and separates the reports into their own areas. Jack starts with the east side. He scoots the others back and lays the east side out according to date. He doesn't have enough room so he takes them to the table under the map. He lays them back out and starts reading. He keeps going until he finishes reading them all.

Someone steps in and says, I'm sorry but there wasn't anyone out front. Jack and O'Toole looks up and O'Toole says, I'm sorry, I was helping Sargent Thornton. The man hand his paperwork to him and says. I'm Constable Mulligan. I've been reassigned here indefinitely. Jack takes his paperwork and reads it. Great! Just in time too. You can get yourself settled upstairs and then come back and we'll talk. They solute and Mulligan takes his leave.

Jack gathers the east side and stacks them on the corner of his desk. He takes the west side and does the same. He noticed that there was a commotion two weeks ago and continued into last week. O'Toole, do you know these people? He hands the papers to him to look at. O'Toole says, yes sir they have the big hog farm and goat farm right before you get to the north area. He showed him on the map. Ok but why are they having trouble? Jack reads the report again and says, this says that the farm that joins his was caught trespassing. Why was he not brought in, Jack asked? I don't know sir. You'll have to talk to McMurphy sir. Ok tell him when he comes in to come see me please.

That afternoon McMurphy came back from rounds. O'Toole informed him that Sargent Thornton wanted to see him. McMurphy gave a confused look but got nothing from O'Toole. He went to the conference room and wrote up his report just in case the Sargent asked for it.

About thirty minutes later he walked up to the Sargent's door and knocked. Jack looked up and said, come in and have a seat. Mulligan excuses himself and walks out and shuts the door. McMurphy took his seat and asks, sir have I done anything wrong? Jack pulls out the report and says, I hope not but I need clarification on this report. I have a few questions. Yes sir, what report are we referring to? Jack hands him the report. McMurphy looks it over and asks, sir? What's wrong with this report? Jack takes the report back and asks, was there a confrontation on this man's land? Yes sir. Was this man trespassing on this man's land? Yes sir. Why is this man not in jail? Sir, if I may? Sure explain. Mr. Young was out looking for his goat that had managed to escape his fence. So as I was coming upon the scene I stopped the argument and got Mr. Small to understand that he was just after his goat. I had to use the scenario, I asked Mr. Small if one of his pigs got out would he or would he not climb over onto Mr. Young's land to retrieve his pig? He said well yes I would. Then I said, well, you would be trespassing onto his land wouldn't you? Well, Constable I do believe you are right. He shook Mr. Young's hand and apologized. It got settled without anyone going to jail. Neither one has farm hands that can do their feeding. So I chose to attempt to squash it. Sir did I do wrong? No you didn't but what you didn't do was to fill out a complete report. So I suggest that you go back and update this report and from now on I want a full report on all reports, understand? Yes sir.

Sir we've never had a boss out here so I guess we just went slacking but it won't happen again. Thank you, Jack said and solutes each other. Jack still feels like something isn't right. He keeps reading all the reports and going to the map to see where it took place.

The next morning Jack met with his men in the conference room. I want you all to meet Constable Mulligan. He will be patrolling east half of the north area with Constable McDaniel's. McDaniel's you take the west half and Mulligan will take the east.

It's come to my attention that full reports have been slacking. I'm here now and from now on I want full reports. I almost made a huge mistake yesterday that I would've regretted. So I want full reports from now on. I'm proud of each one of you and we will all get to know each other. So if you have any questions please don't hesitate to come to me. My door is always open to you.

I'm going to implement a new order. There are 6 of us so starting this weekend there will only be two of you on duty. No rounds will be made but you will be in the office. If a telegram comes in and you don't know how to use it then get O'Toole but that is the only reason he'll be called in. Who all knows how to use and read the telegraph machine? Everyone raises their hand. Good that means no one will have to get O'Toole.

This weekend it will be McDaniel's and Mulligan. Next weekend it will be McMurphy and McFarlin. Then the following weekend it will be me and O'Toole. This gives everyone time off. Everyone needs downtime. That cuts down on mistakes.

Is there any questions? McMurphy asks, sir are we aloud to leave town on our weekend off? Yes by all means. Have you all been here since you were assigned here? They shook their heads yes. Ok, now, from now on you will be given time off once a year. I'll find out how many days you will be allowed to take and let you know. Anymore questions? No sir they all said. Ok let's get to your rounds.

Jack had a call put into Vancouver to ask for information about time off for his men. O'Toole told him that the information was being sent out along with any other information he might need. Jack thanked him and O'Toole left.