No Mercy for Camp 6 Sweetheart - Pt. 1

I long ago lost track of the number of historical articles and columns I’ve written over the decades.

We’re talking millions of words in print, all of them celebrating the accomplishments, adventures and, sometimes, missteps of Canadian (specifically, British Columbian) men and women who pioneered our great nation.

I can’t speak for my readers but some stories stand out for me.

One with particular resonance recently resurfaced without effort on my part. Maureen Alexander and the Mill Bay Malahat Historical Society have launched, for the second time, a theatre company to enact “fascinating true stories from Vancouver Island’s past”.

One of those Messages in the Dust is that of 1920s school teacher Mabel Estelle Jones who was driven to suicide by jealousy and vicious gossip. Her tragic death prompted the provincial government to reboot the public schools system.

Too late for poor Mabel, but to the benefit of the 100s of young women schoolteachers who followed in her footsteps.

Next week in the Chronicles, a second look at her tragic tale. In the meantime, the Seeds & Salt Theatre Co. are coming to a venue near you, as shown on the accompanying poster.

I’m looking forward to seeing how scriptwriter Will Johnson has interpreted Mabel’s story from my inked rendition of 20 years ago.

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PHOTO: Messages in the Dust - Seeds & Salt Theatre Co.