all things hidden

7/27/2019 All Things Hidden

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Tr acie PeTersonand

Kimberley Woodhouse

5

All Things Hidden



© 2014 P I, I., d Km Wd

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system, or transmitted in any orm or by any means—or example, electronic, photocopy,

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ISBN 978-0-7642-1119-5 (.)

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PS3566.E7717A794 2014

813 .54—d23 2013032758

S qd: “’T S S T J,” L M. R. Sd, 1882.

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This is a work o historical reconstruction; the appearances o certain historical gures

are thereore inevitable. All other characters, however, are products o the author’s

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Lori Healy

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Thank you, precious lady.



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The novel you are about to read is ction, though it is bathed

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We loved researching and discovering these ascinating people

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The Hillermans and Dr. Vaughan were not historical people

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Please see our note to the reader at the end o the book tosee the list there. (Yes, there really was a man chosen with

a wooden leg, there was a teenage girl who had a bear cub

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In addition to the characters, a major part o the story

is the grand setting o Alaska. Were you to visit the Mat-

Su Valley today, you would see a landscape much dierent

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the other homesteaders who stuck it out during the Great

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Our great country’s history is rich, and we invite you along j dv F D Rv’

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9

1February 1, 1935

Anchorage, Alaska Territory

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careul, the abric would be ruined. Forcing her hands to

still, she glanced out the picture window on the southeast

side o the large lodge. Wind whipped at the jagged peaks

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ing around like a dance. But even the rugged beauty o her

beloved mountains couldn’t calm her spirit. Usually the daily

Gd’ d d , m dthe wind blew, how low the temperature dropped, or how

deep the snow drited. It was Alaska, ater all—the most

.

But today was dierent. A heavy sigh let her lips. How

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or them? Would a group o total strangers make lie-changing



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A m G vd d vd -ther doctor the ew amilies in their remote area, she held

an equal amount o hate at the thought o change. Maybe

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and strong, twinkling gray eyes as he read the AnchorageDaily News. H d x x. A-

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This beautiul and grand territory was her home. Not

here in the bustling little town o Anchorage, but in the quiet

valley—the snow-covered mountains o the Chugach and

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them to the Cook Inlet in the south. The moose, the bear,

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ley. The people were her people; she’d known them almost

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. W d vm d mm qo them? Would they ask her ather to take another post?

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were disconnected. Unreal. This place—Alaska—held her in

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Gwyn unwound the abric rom her ngers and attempted

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11

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i time almost stood still. She allowed hersel to dart a glance

to the clock over the replace in the large meeting room. Itd’ .

Good grie, she’d allowed her nerves to get the best o

her once again. With a hu, Gwyn blew a ew curls o her

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Time to get her mind of these worrisome thoughts. Worrynever helped. Besides, it was a sin. She could almost hear

Nasnana’s voice—in her gentle singsong way—drilling those

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an early age, when Gwyn ormed an attachment to Nasnana’s

granddaughter, Sadzi. The two girls had been inseparable,

and Gwyn would always be grateul or the woman’s guiding

d .

But even with Nasnana’s advice and direction, Gwyn’s

habit o giving in to worry had gotten her into trouble on mul-

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her ngers proved she hadn’t conquered it yet. But she would.

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around her. Dark wood beams covered the ceiling, but the

log building’s interior walls were plastered and painted a

creamy white. Three long tables surrounded the room, but

they wouldn’t do at all. Crossing her arms, Gwyn cocked her

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Gwyn scurried around the room, straightening chairs and



All Things Hidden

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the several sets o wooden benches that took up residence

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A . B. T minutes. She blew a stray curl o her orehead. She needed

something to occupy her mind. Something other than worry.

As the re roared in the grand replace, Gwyn looked out one

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“F?”The newspaper crinkled. “I’m sorry, Gwyn, did you say

m?”

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zd d d ?”

“I do.” He chuckled and the paper rustled some more in

his hands. “You dug tunnels all the way around the house.

O, .”

She laughed with him and crossed her arms. “I I recall,

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m d .

“I did.” He patted the chair next to him with the now-

dd . “Cm, .”

Plopping down onto the seat in a manner her mother woulddm d, G dd m m.

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hers. “I’m sure it will be good news, my dear. What’s causing

v j?”

Gwyn met his gaze. Harold Hillerman was a handsome

man. Add to that, he was caring, positive, helpul, a wonderul

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shook her head to rid her mind o the negative thoughts.



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worried, he hovered and tried to x everything. Father hadn’t

q vd m M d S -doned them or the amenities o “civilized society.” Oh, he

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to see the same pain in her ather’s eyes again. More than

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She pasted on a smile. “O course. It was just a bit o

a shock—the request that we attend a meeting, when wehave no idea what it’s about.” She squeezed his hand and

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O .”

Father chuckled. “With this, I’m all too amiliar.” He gave

d. “C m, m d.”

O . Ad x didn’t

.

The clock chimed, bringing her attention back to her impa-

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to travel to Anchorage and now were kept waiting. Although

the board technically wasn’t late . . . yet. She and Father were

j . B . . . , d .

She placed her hands on her knees, straightened, andbreathed deeply. Gwyn longed or the crisp, rozen air out-

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Outings were or riends, a hike in the woods, snowshoeing

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A slammed door made her jump. Heavy ootsteps ollowed,

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mess o papers. When he reached the table at the ront o

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A heavy sigh preceded the leader’s drop into his chair.“Good aternoon, Dr. Hillerman, Miss Hillerman.” His smile

md . “I’m G Td. I’v d

head up this new board o the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation

Corporation—ARRC—until President Roosevelt gets every-

. T m .”

Gwyn’s ather walked to the table to shake each man’s

d. “W’ v d

m v.”

Mr. Townsend nodded his head and leaned orward.

“Thank you. Have a seat and let’s get right to it. President

Roosevelt has initiated some new experiments to help the

country through these tough times. The ARRC will be a

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C Pj.”

Gwyn drew her eyebrows together. The Matanuska Colony

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S?

Her ather sat back and nodded. “January teenth? You’re

mv d .”

“T’ mmd d d

why we’re a little unorganized.” Mr. Townsend shufed



T P d Km Wd

15

through the messy pile. “Forgive me as I work to be clear

on this matter. It will progress even aster as we approach the

end o winter.” He pulled out a sheet o paper and continued.“The Matanuska Project is to bring relie to a portion o

the American people and bring settlement to Alaska. The

president wants them here by May to prepare or the next

.”

Gwyn’s stomach dropped. Settlement? They meant to settle

v? M. Td d , md . S vd A. T, dd.

And she loved to share with others. Hadn’t she always wanted

the world to know what an incredible land she lived in? To

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But she’d only done that twice. And those were wealthy tour-

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d v .

“Approximately two hundred amilies will be chosen or

the colonization o the Matanuska valley,” she heard the

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slid his glasses to the end o his nose and held out two o

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d m m A’and those hardest hit by the droughts: Michigan, Wisconsin,

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v .

H md . “W md -

m ?”

The man to Mr. Townsend’s right responded. “Not at this

time. The Red Cross will hopeully send some nurses, but

. T’ d m



All Things Hidden

16

with you. We would like to avoid any epidemics or deaths that

d d.”

Her ever-calm ather crinkled his brow. “You should knowby now my dedication to healing people, but this is a large

number ’ . I ’

health o everyone just so we look good to the press—besides,

we haven’t had any press up in our area or some time, sir,

d?”

“We appreciate your honesty, Dr. Hillerman, and we’reasking you to do this or the benet o uture Alaskans. These

people will need medical care. As to the press, the presi-

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d’ d ’ v d.”

Discussion erupted around the table as the men voiced

their excitement about the chance or Alaska to make its mark

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m.

Gwyn bowed her head. Two hundred amilies. That could

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.

Two. Hundred. Families.

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d .

Two. Hundred. Families.

Heat rose up her neck and into her ace. She attempted

.



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B mv d

d. . . . Two. Hundred. Families.

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train. For twenty-two years he’d been blessed by her quick

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And steady. She enjoyed the quietness o their lives. But

even though he understood her underlying ear, she’d done

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ability to assist and tackle a project. It’d been obvious she

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ders, cleared her throat, and answered their questions without .

The Matanuska Project. His heart sped up a little at the

thought. The president’s task was unprecedented. But the big-

gest question dangled out there: Could they be ready in time?

Harold allowed his thoughts to go back to the meeting.

What little acts they knew or certain were overwhelming.The colony amilies would be chosen by each state’s local

aid workers. The ederal government would pay or their

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and a barn on their orty-acre parcel, which would be pur-

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all the colonists arrived. Each amily would be granted a loan

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As the train chugged the orty-plus miles toward theirvalley, Harold considered the needs o the colonists. Add-

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had always been or the Alaskan Indians. I that many peoplemoved in, how would he have time to travel to the remote

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help out the colonists, but they were going to be in need

o medical care as well. Especially when clearing land and

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His thoughts drited to Edith. His wie’s disdain or his

work bothered him to this day. She had never liked the na-

tive Alaskan people and disliked his work with them even

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But her goals and wishes or him had always been her own

visions o grandeur. Raised in wealth and in the city, she’d

jumped at the chance to marry a promising doctor rom a

good amily. Harold had ooled himsel to think it was be-

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very busy with his work at the hospital in Chicago and the

dd .

Edith’s true heart appeared several months ater the Hiller-



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stead. With the railroad’s work to connect the interior to

the ports, our hundred homesteads had been applied orthe previous years. Harold knew he could build a medical

practice and work to help build the hospital in Anchorage.

The territory was exciting to all the wealthy people in society.

Edith and her riends seemed so supportive o this new move.

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dutiul wie with two young children. And her demeanord. A df j d z

m m d’ A , -

dd, d .

In his heart, all these years, Harold knew he’d married a

spoiled girl, but she’d always been sweet. And she was so beau-

tiul. But ater the ateul move to this beautiul land, in private

she unleashed her anger on him. He worked hard to please her,

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her lap, eyes closed. Probably praying about the changes to

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about helping people, Sophia wanted more ribbons or her

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“real” world lived. All the talk o grand dances, lavish dinner

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All Things Hidden

20

Ad ’d d . Ad d d

m d .

G qzd m train. I only he’d been a better husband, a better ather,

m d v d . . . m . . .

No. This wasn’t an easy place to live. Beautiul and ertile,

yes, but darkness, harsh winters, and death caused more than

one amily to abandon their homes and arms. Only about

dd m .Ed d v G v “ Gd

country” with her and Sophia, stating that no young woman

should be let in the wild, untamed land. But as much as

Edith argued and yelled, Gwyn dug in her heels and stayed

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jd d, d d .

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H d d.

A tear rolling down Gwyn’s cheek caught his attention

and brought him back to the present. A wie abandoning d , m d d

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Gwyn wasn’t one or coddling or sympathy, so he pressed the

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T P d Km Wd

21

She dabbed at the tears and straightened her shoulders.

“W, I v d.” T m

v m d’ .“Y, d v d .”

She looked orward and snied. “I know you are excited

, F. I d v I .”

“I .”

G d d.

Harold let his thoughts roam. Excited? Yes, he was excited.New people. New amilies. New homes. New arms. New

.

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His mind couldn’t quite take in all the thoughts as it jumped

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America needed encouragement through these tough times.

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one physician to care or overwhelmed him. Gwyn’s gits as a

v. S d m , work, no experience whatsoever except what she’d learned

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in small villages. And he didn’t desire to give up his work

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that o him? Would they see the natives as less important and

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All Things Hidden

22

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.

But it wouldn’t be easy. He knew that. He wasn’t one o those men who could cast aside the truth and pretend that

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An idea took root. He needed help. Where could he nd

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city lie and a steady income to come here? During one o the

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The scent o spruce trees and the glittering powder o resh-

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nally, her world was right again. The meeting with the ARRC

had been thrilling. To her ather, at least. To her, it just meant. T . B d d d

timeline, she ound her thoughts spinning out o control.

A md m , d

space to mull it all over, and the place calling her right now

N’.

She kept pace with her ather. “I’d like to go visit Nasnanad Sdz, ’ .”

Her ather turned to her and patted her shoulder, his breath

v . “T d . W d

need their help preparing the newcomers or the next winter.

Wd md m ?” W

waiting or an answer, he continued, “I wonder i it would

be prudent to move my clinic closer to the train. It would

take a bit o eort, but maybe we should think o moving

.”



T P d Km Wd

23

Gwyn wasn’t sure she liked the direction her ather’s

thoughts were taking. Change, change, change. Too much

. S d .Father turned back to her. “Goodness, there I go again.

D’ md m, G. Y I d. D’

. I m m.” H

gripped her shoulders and squeezed. “I need to write a letter,

I m f.”

Standing on tiptoe, she nodded and kissed her ather’s d d’ m.

The solitude o the woods gave Gwyn the time she needed

. T md

steps. All was quiet. And peaceul. But how long would it stay

? H v d d dd

.

How could she love the Lord, love people, love Alaska,

d , d not

m m? H d md m

d . W ?

G d . I d d?

Had she become selsh and uncaring? The thought horried

— qd m.Ev vd m d d

her mother’s love in return, Gwyn had no desire to be like

. A .

She crested a hill and poked her head through the trees.

There in the distance, across the shining water o the Knik

Arm, lay Susitna. The beautiul mountain rose up seemingly

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S Ld.

I G d v d d d



All Things Hidden

24

to sleep one day. She could become a lush mountain and

remain the same while the world changed around her. One

d, G d d v dand picnic at her base. But the legend behind the beloved

m ’ . T m were.

Sot munching to her right brought Gwyn’s attention back

to the moment. She smiled as she watched a young moose

v-

ered in snow. She giggled at his antics, but then mama moosed d d G. Tm mv .

I d v m

dd , dd’ md d

slowed her steps—it gave her more time to think. How could

she share all that was on her heart? Would the changes to

m ?

Sadzi greeted her outside the small cabin as she ap-

proached. Her riend’s long black braid swung back and

orth as Sadzi waved and then wrapped Gwyn in a tight hug.

“It’s so good to see you! Are you back rom the meeting?

What did they say?” Sadzi grabbed her hand and dragged

d.

Gwyn laughed in response. The only thing that could breakthrough her barriers was one o Sadzi’s hugs. They’d rst met

on Gwyn’s sixth birthday. As the young native girl hugged

G d d d , d

d m d. O .

T d d d

d v . G v d

was with these precious people. “Yes, I have a lot o news.

Ad I’m d ’ .”

Nasnana appeared at the entryway, dish towel in one hand,



T P d Km Wd

25

iron skillet in the other. “The one scary thing on this earth

is not knowing where you will spend eternity.” She pointed

G. “T j . Ad —”“— .”

“— .”

G d Sdz d md d

d d m .

“Ah, so you have been listening to this old woman ater all.”

“Only or the past sixteen years.” Gwyn hugged the woman’d dm ’d v .

Sdz v. “T?”

“Yes, please.” Gwyn twisted her hands again and sat in

.

N x . “N, ?”

Two weathered hands covered Gwyn’s. Taking a deep

breath, she decided to just plunge in with every detail, starting

rom the time they waited in the large room o the govern-

m d d d.

Ater she’d spilled out every act and word she could re-

mm, d d. Sdz’ d—

excitement and anticipation palpable in the small room—

N’ m .“Well?” Gwyn glanced rom Sadzi to her grandmother.

“W d ?”

The crinkled lines around Nasnana’s eyes increased. “I

x . W v d, d Gd

m v d d.”

Sdz d . “Ad j

’ v v m d

berries, and there will be children! Won’t it be un to have little

d ? W m , d d ,



All Things Hidden

26

d j . . .” G’ d d d

d .

N d G’ d, G . “Y d, —I

. B d .”

Beore she could stop them, tears sprang into Gwyn’s eyes.

T v d . “O, is . . .”



27

2February 24, 1935

Chicago, Illinois

“You are hereby stripped o your medical license.” The board

chairman slammed his gavel down on the solid table as whis-

md m.

Jeremiah Vaughan swallowed. His worst ear had just come

true. He straightened his shoulders, waiting or the chairman

.

“Y v

consent o Mr. Brewster, and your reckless abandon have

v d —”“Chairman, the patient’s wounds were atal. I was just

—”

“Do not interrupt me, young man. We’ve all heard the acts

o this unortunate case. The decision is nal.” The chairman

d.

Feet shufed. Papers rustled. For a brie moment, time

d . T v d d d d m

in the cacophony o voices and the pounding pulse in his

head. Jeremiah turned to pick up his medical bag and several



All Things Hidden

28

ashbulbs blinded him. Reporters. He was sure to be in every

m d.

Pushed and shoved and interrogated as he made his wayout o the building, Jeremiah took one last look back. Every-

thing was gone with that nal bang o the gavel. The new

hospital. The hospital he was supposed to be heading up. All

d ’d vd. A

’d v.

All gone. In an instant. His dreams were dead now. He

wasn’t allowed to practice medicine anymore. At least not

. W d S?

Thoughts o his beautiul ancée shut out all the questions

around him. Sophia Hillerman. Their wedding was to be the

society event o the year. He’d just turned thirty-our, and

he would be a distinguished hospital head, and she would

d.B m. A d .

H’d d . S

d dvd, , m d

. M d

md d’ d. W S d d

. T d d dm.

Hope welled within him. Sophia’s beautiul ace and tenderm d d.

H d d dd m

S vd m d d. T

lavish wrought-iron gate opened to what would be a beautiul

garden come spring. He took the ront steps two at a time

d d.

Leonard, the butler, opened the door and stepped to the

d, m.

“Gd v, Ld. I’m —”



T P d Km Wd

29

“We know why you’re here.” Mrs. Hillerman’s smooth

voice echoed o the marble oyer around the silent butler.

“It’s best we speak privately in the parlor.” She turned on d dd m .

H ddd.

Ld d d,

d . H m--,

who had always greeted him with such grace, oten taking

d m d , d away. Tonight, her cold demeanor and sti gait sent a chill

.

A dd m. Imd-

dm. L f. T d m

threatened to suocate him. Hadn’t it already been a bad

d? M m j d.

H é d. M. H-

man headed straight or Sophia and stood behind her. Sophia

d m m. H d-mmd d d

’ m m.

H d . “I’m d I d’ v v d

.” Jm d d.

M. Hm’ v d d . “M. B’ d d

inorm us o your action and the board’s subsequent deci-

.” S d md m. “H d

d m d d ! I d

. Y d. A , —”

“M, .” S d d d

, x m.

I mm, m md v m.

H d. W .



All Things Hidden

30

“You’ve ruined everything, Jeremiah. Everything. And

’v d m m d m m’ m

. I ’ v d m m ghastly manner. It is totally unacceptable or someone o my

station.” She reached up, locking her hand with her mother’s.

“We’ve already called the papers to announce that the en-

m .”

Jeremiah tried to swallow his shock. Who was this cal-

lous woman in ront o him? Was it Sophia? The woman vd? T d d? T m

truth pierced his heart—she hated him. The haughty look

on her ace spoke volumes. This woman never cared about

him. “Sophia . . .” He turned to his uture mother-in-law.

“M. Hm, d x mm?”

The tall woman stood straighter, placing both o her hands

d’ d. “I m .”

S dmd m d d d

.

H m d, d d

. “I v m d. D’

I ’ ?”

“She is no longer your betrothed. You have ruined ouramily name with your carelessness. I won’t have you ruin

Sophia’s reputation as well.” Mrs. Hillerman’s eyes narrowed

to slits. “I should have known better than to let a doctor worm

his way into my daughter’s afections. You have nothing. You

.”

His anger died in a rush o pain. What had he done to

dv d? H d’ d ! Hd

he really been this blind to how shallow women could be?

“S, d’ v m?”



T P d Km Wd

31

T m z . “N,

Jm, I d . H d I?”

A scalpel to his chest couldn’t have done more damage.H d m mmd . H d

, . T d

m dd’ dv .

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m m.

T m dd d. A dd m d, Jm d’ . H

eet propelled him away rom the city. Away rom the hospital.

A m S. A m v .

The world around him muted. He bumped into a bum and

knocked the man down, the man’s words not reaching his ears.

Everything seemed like a dream. More like a nightmare—and

all he could do was watch. Jeremiah helped the bedraggled

m d . T d d

d. W d’ Gd vd? H d v vd J-

m m m. Cd’v vd M. B’

. B . Gd d m j v .

Ad ’d v.

Gd d’ d. Jm d Hm.H . T m S

the worst. All the words o endearment, sweet smiles, and

m . H mv m

j d. A . T çd m

crumbled at his eet, and he’d seen what they really were.

H d v d?

Females were not to be trusted. It was that simple. All they

did was sink their claws in to get what they wanted. Vain,

d, .



All Things Hidden

32

H d m.

He’d been under the impression he was in love. And his

d d.But that was all a lie too. His world crashed in around him.

No more dreams. No goals. No hospital. No wedding.

N.

The sounds o the city nally blasted through his barriers.

Jeremiah stopped and turned back toward his apartment.

The cold seeped into his bones. He didn’t know how long’d , d d m. A

had driven him, but now common sense reminded him o the

.

Wm d m d d d

d d m. M ’d d

. H d d d, , ,

d m d d .

H d z . P

d. N m d, , ,

d ’d d v . Hd

it all been a waste? A lietime o learning? O research? O

v . . . md, ?

Memories washed over him rom his childhood. Any in-jured creature he ound, he’d brought to Dr. H. down the

road. The prestigious doctor had always taken time out to

m. Hd d m Jm

md.

Was it all or naught? In an instant, his arms swiped every-

.

H d v v d d q

the unconstructive thoughts. He needed sleep. Maybe tomor-

d mm . Ad m .



T P d Km Wd

33

A clanging down the street jolted Jeremiah rom a hard

sleep. He reached or the dark nightstand and checked his

pocket watch—a git rom his grandather when Jeremiah

dd m md . T ’. A

d d, d v

d. H d . I d’ v. I

d d dm.

Jeremiah couldn’t give up medicine. It was like asking him togive up breathing. It was his passion. It surged through his veins.

B d d?

His resolve hardened. He would not go down without a

ght. A new plan constructed in his mind. He would con-

d’ d. Hd, , .

Hd d .

B ’ m Jm d

the steps to his parents’ home pondering how they would

. H’d d m Hd d d

. H ’ d R-

dolph Brewster and his rich cronies who ruled the medical

mm, d d. I

m . B m d , d’

Jeremiah rom ghting or his honor. Brewster knew him.

That was the biggest problem. Jeremiah had willingly worked

d d d m . H

d B m ? Hd

m ?

His mother greeted him at the door, eyes swollen. Her hug

d . “Y d.” S d

d d .



All Things Hidden

34

“Jeremiah? That you?” His ather’s deep, gruf voice echoed

d .

“Yeah, Pop, it’s me.” A whi o pipe tobacco broughtback memories as Jeremiah entered the wood-paneled room.

“M d’ d.”

T V d d d. “W,

know your mother. She’s worried about you. And worried

what her riends will think. This news hasn’t been easy on

.”The real crux o the matter. So that’s how it would be. His

own parents didn’t believe in him. They believed what society

d m. T mm m.

He cleared his throat so his voice wouldn’t betray the pain.

“I’m ’ v d m.”

“D’ m, Jm. W ,

but these are tough times. I the people can’t trust the Vaughan

name, we could go under as well.” His ather tapped more to-

bacco into his pipe. “But your cousin called this morning, and

’ d ’ d m.”

I Jm d d m .

“Your mother and I have a suggestion or you in the mean-

m.”“Oh?” This ought to be good. How was he supposed to

v m ?

“W d v .” H

hesitated as he struck a match and lit the pipe. “Here.” An

v vd d m. “H’ v dd d-

. T d .”

Jm’ d ,

days. “You want me to leave town? How am I supposed to

d dd m?”



T P d Km Wd

35

“Howard will take care o all o that. He’s already assured

m ’ d —”

“S ’ ’v dd m v m?And that’s it? Decision made? I’m dismissed?” A horrible

thought sank in, dispelling all the anger. Once the pride o

, ’d d dd

d mv m. H

m .

His loving parents were too embarrassed to have their dis-

d m C.



36

3

New York City

March 15, 1935

The man allowed a deep chuckle to leave his lips as he read an

m . T d. A

d d, d

. I d d’ d

his real name in Chicago. No one was the wiser. And he’d

.

The waiter was at his elbow. Again. Did he need anything?

N.

T dd v m’ m m d

d d .He must admit, he liked being waited on, but when people

knew you had money, the cloying attention became claus-

.

T d

d md: Pinkerton Agents Search for Mastermind Be-

hind First National Robbery.

H d v -d d—

dd m d .

The Pinkertons had their work cut out or them. The article



T P d Km Wd

37

suggested they guessed it might be an inside job. Little did

they know. No need to worry, though—they’d never gure

. H .Ad .

A beautiul dame sashayed by, her bright red ngernails

tapping their way along the linen tablecloth. The not-so-

subtle glance she threw over her shoulder made him orget

. T d m.

He took a long drink rom his water goblet and stood.

There was more than one beautiul dame in this outrageously

xv .

Tucking the olded paper under his arm, he headed toward

m .

T’d m d .

Matanuska Valley, Alaska Territory

Even though the temperature had warmed up into the double

digits in the past week, two eet o snow still covered the

ground and probably would or several more weeks. Gwyn

stoked the res in the upstairs replace, the stove, and the

living room replace. Trying to keep their cabin warm in

the depths o winter was always an undertaking. She lovedtheir home with its huge log walls and giant windows. But

m j m vmd

at times. She understood that her ather had built it to her

mother’s grand expectations because he loved her and wanted

. B M d S , md

m Hm md. T m

d G d.

S d d v d vd

. S d m . T



All Things Hidden

38

o winter the past year and the government’s new project

d d. G d d

the barn and cast a glance at her spade. How she ached tostart her garden! Each year it was the same. Her ather would

v “ ” d

d. B m m, d d

husband or using such undignied language or a young

m, G v mdd. H’d

d dd m v m .Gwyn pushed on the gate to their enced-in garden through

the drited snow. With a nal shove, she moved it ar enough to

squeeze through. Kneeling down, she lited her ace to the sun.

Spring couldn’t come ast enough or her this year. Oh, she

knew she’d have to contend with the moose and other critters

trying to get to her garden, but she longed or it anyway. Gwyn

pushed a gloved hand down through the snow. The ground

was hard and rozen, but it didn’t keep her rom dreaming

. T m v ,

the scent o it lling her head. Maybe it was that she loved

watching things grow, or maybe she appreciated it all the more

because the growing season was so short. She wasn’t sure,

v d m j. I d .

W.

Today she had to admit her anxiousness stemmed more

m ’ -d d.

The gate to the garden clanged shut as Gwyn headed to

m. T ARRC d

summoned her ather to Anchorage. And since patience truly

’ G’ v, ’d m

, v d z.



T P d Km Wd

39

Good heavens. It was ridiculous. The horses whinnied

ater her as she let the barn minutes ater she’d entered it.

Sd’ F ? T .What would the board say this time? What news would there

be rom the president? Since they didn’t have a newspaper

yet in their little valley, she couldn’t even read the delayed

.

M d v m . T

. P d d.One long step brought her crashing down as her oot sank

d. T

sense back to her. Crawling out o the hole, she scolded hersel

. S m d v

d, d d v d.

Gwyn brushed the snow of her pants and shoved her long

underwear back into the ur-lined boots. Sadzi would be

laughing hysterically i she saw Gwyn right now. The thought

m . S’d .

In the cabin, the delicious smell o resh bread wated

. T md G

d m. S d d m

bread in stores—some even bought it sliced. It all soundedever so convenient, but Gwyn thought it a sad loss. Conve-

nience had no inviting aroma. Convenience brought no sense

m. Wd all d d?

Depositing her coat and boots at the door, she tried not

to let her heart be heavy. With a sigh, she gave the bread a

quick check. It was done. She pulled out two round crusty

loaves to cool and put two more into the oven. Taking up

v d, ddd m v d

.



All Things Hidden

40

T d d -

m d. F! H m.

S d d . F , d m m .

He’d barely stepped rom the train when Gwyn called out.

S m d vd. “F! Y’

!”

H d d d. “H I

d m , m d ’ - m .”

S d m d d d

million questions she wanted to ask as they walked toward

m. “H ?”

H d d , “Y m, dd

and what inormation do I have to share?” The laughter in

d’ md.

H . I , G d

disinterest as they walked arm in arm toward the cabin. “Well,

i you’d like to talk about it, I’m all ears, but i you’re too

d, I’m .”

D d . “O, d m d,

G.”She opened the door and the aroma o sourdough hit them

both. Father smiled. “You’ve been baking bread. I hope you’ll

m v v.”

She tried to hide her smile. “Let me help you get your boots

of rst. Then I’ll get you some cofee . . . and perhaps a piece

o bread. Maybe that will help you to eel like . . . Well, maybe

’ m.” H d d mm d

G’ .

Finally seated with a cup between his hands and a hot



T P d Km Wd

41

slice o bread on the table, Father didn’t keep her waiting.

“T’v d 180,000 . T m

260,000 , d d m m-d dd’ .”

Gwyn remembered how many amilies had tried to home-

stead in the valley when her amily rst came to Alaska. Only

q m md, G d dd.

S d . “A x m ?”

Wd m?“N , d. T -

d. T d d m

m md d d

supplying inormation to the government, so they know what

d j.” H m .

“Y d vmd.” T d

G d d . “Ad d’ v-

md v .”

“I d v I , I m dm

d md.” H d . “I

understand their timing and the need or it, but I think we

need to spend more time in prayer over this project. It eels

d. I’ d v x m ’start sending up construction workers and reight. And soon

, m.”

“Will we be ready? I mean, is there any possible way every-

?”

“I honestly don’t know. But we’ve got to do our best to

help.” Her ather exhaled a long sigh and took that oppor-

tunity to sample the bread. Ater a long pause he picked

up the conversation again. “I’m a bit concerned about the

condition o all those olks coming up here. Who knows how



All Things Hidden

42

m m , d m v-

, ’ d ,

m d.”Gwyn’s heart quickened. The thought o little children

sufering was the worst. Maybe this idea wasn’t so good ater

all. Maybe God was trying to get their attention—to tell them

v d , ,

m— d j.

I , dd d. A dshe’d had with her ather since they ound out about the colo-

nization came rushing back. He’d dug up newspaper articles

or her to read about the poverty and drought-stricken people.

A m d , d, .

In their private world in Alaska, away rom the “real world,”

G d d d D

, m S. A vvd

memory crashed in o her ather bringing the newspaper

m d N Y C W

Council tallied 139 starvation or malnutrition-related deaths

in 1933. And that was in just one city. How many more would

?

How could she tell her ather she was scared to death? Thewhole project rightened her. But when it came down to it,

it wasn’t really the project. It was change. And all the new

. Cd ?

A glimpse o him answered her question. Even with all the

ddd d, xd. I dd m m.

She stood and walked to the window. Closing her eyes, she

d vd, d

the project. Oh, Lord, you know me. You understand me

better than I understand myself. Help me, Father. I’m scared.



T P d Km Wd

43

Scared o change. Scared o all the new people and scared

that I will fail to be a help to them, a light to them. But how

do I reach people or Christ i I’m not around people? The d m . Give me the strength and

courage to stand beside my father and help him. And please

keep all those families safe on their long journey here.

Sweet peace lled her. Even with all her ears, worries, and

selsh pride, God was willing to use her. She needed to be

ready. This land was plentiul. Hundreds o amilies could

live o the land here and support their amilies or genera-

m.

G d d d d

ather. “Well, i change and new people are coming to Alaska,

I d ?”

April 1, 1935

Chicago, Illinois

T d Jm’ m d

, Alone, d m m.

There must be someone waiting . . .

N. T ’.

Who feels the way I do . . .N. T d’ . Ev .

Three brisk strides brought him to the table, and he turned

d d.

F , ’d d m. N -

d . N m m

. N m.

Ex .

A d d dzd , D. H., vd A

and asked i Jeremiah would be willing to come and help



All Things Hidden

44

d. H m zd m

o time to prepare but raved about the land o Alaska and

d . I m d Jm, D. H. vd -m

d v m, d

d md d d M v-

ley. Dr. H.’s vision o building a hospital in the valley and

d M Pj

vd v m d d dv Sd D xd Jm.

A d’ N D d

in motion, and hundreds o amilies were heading to the

territory to colonize. Beore the board’s decision to revoke

his license, Jeremiah wouldn’t have given the proposition a

second thought. Ater all, his ormer ancée didn’t even speak

to her ather. Sophia had whispered to him one night in tears,

which he now assumed had been ake, that she hadn’t spoken

to her ather or heard rom him all these years. Edith and

Sophia had attempted to poison Jeremiah’s mind toward the

man he’d admired as a youth. But now he saw things with

clarity and eyes wide open, and his memories served him well.

Dr. H. had taken Jeremiah seriously as a child—what with d m d dv m . S-

d v m d

crazy in reusing to leave the territory o Alaska. She and

M. Hm d m . S’d

also convinced him that the reason they were in Chicago was

d, Jm d-

stood all too well the real reasons: Mrs. Edith Hillerman

had let her husband and older daughter to return to high

society. That truth was all too clear. She wanted money, social



T P d Km Wd

45

, d m m’ m. Ad

, Jm d m

trap. He had been blinded by the temptation o gaining status,, d m. W ’d d!

With the clarity o the true emptiness o his lie behind him,

Jm dd m d D. H.’ mv,

d d v -

. H dd’ v d m

truth. Yet. His only hope was the act that Mrs. Hillermanv md mm d A.

A new ear spread within him. What i Dr. H. ound out?

What i the man who’d taught him so much rejected him as

well? That would be ar worse than to be ound practicing

medicine without a license. Jeremiah realized that ater all

he’d lost, Dr. H.’s good opinion was something he didn’t want

. I d , d

stripped away was more painul than Jeremiah wanted to admit.

President Roosevelt’s words rom his inaugural address

rang in Jeremiah’s mind: “. . . let me assert my frm belie

that the only thing we have to ear is ear itsel—nameless,

unreasoning, unjustied terror which paralyzes needed eforts

to convert retreat into advance.”H d’ . N m.

He’d advance. And ater reuniting with the man he re-

spected more than anyone else, maybe then he’d work up

the courage to tell him the truth. Maybe the good doctor

could even help get him reinstated. Surely the restrictions

in the Alaska Territory were ewer than in the States. No

doubt the people there were desperate enough that any doctor,

even one accused o accidentally killing his patient, would

dd .



All Things Hidden

C , d. T

wasn’t any time to say good-bye. But he’d planned it that

. N . N v v. H m d m d

they had a right to know, but they’d slammed that door in

d m v.

Jeremiah would contact Howard when he was settled. His

cousin already stated he would handle the appeal so Jeremiah

d . H’d m.T md d d

m d. N m m m -

tion. He surveyed his packing. A ew more clothing items

would t in the trunk i he stued them in the nooks and

crannies. The majority o the steamer held his papers and

, md d qm ’d d v

. C ’ . A S-

phia urged him to have tailored or his new position still

. N d mm

could’ve been. Her taste was ar too ne or his liking anyway.

H d’v . Gd, , ,

vain—those were the words that described Sophia Hillerman.

Ad d . Ev .H’d d m. H d m

had grown over the past weeks. First his ancée and uture

mother-in-law had turned their backs on him and then his

own mother. All because they worried about what people

d .

A d m d.

T d md d m md

. C dmd m d d.

H d vd Wd v ?

all things hidden

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