In 1906, Edgar Allen took out a homestead on the North East Quarter of Section 34, Township 49, West of the Third Meridian on Treaty 6 Territory north of a small town called Maidstone on the prairies of Turtle Island. Settlers called the country Canada. Later, in 1919, he sold the land to Ole Johnson, who in turn in 1943 sold it to my Grandfather’s family. It went through several more ownership changes to my uncle, then my father and finally to me.
Two years ago, my youngest brother, Pat, told me of a set of wagon wheels which our father had described, located somewhere in a poplar bluff on the west side of the quarter section. He told me how he had looked repeatedly for them but with no success. I had not heard this story and one time while on the land I did my own search but with no success.
Later that spring quite unexpectedly Pat was making his way through the bush and came across the famous wagon wheels. The wheels were nestled in grassy overgrowth with trees growing next to them. He snapped a photo. Of course that sent me looking again the next time I was there. Lo and behold I was able to find them. By this time the grass was green and the wheels were even more hidden. Several months later I decided to try capturing them with paint and brush, resulting in these two paintings.
18″x24″ Acrylic on panel
24″x36″ Acrylic on panel
Not long after painting these and after an early shot of snow, I was back on the land and discovered the wheels in yet another setting. This in turn prompted two more paintings.
18″x24″ Acrylic on panel
24″x36″ Acrylic on panel
Mr Allan’s wagon is slowly returning to its origins. Much of the wooden components have rotted away. The steel rims are rusted and of course will remain for future generations to discover .
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