Inspired by Ella (Lees) Inderwick’s diaries. Ella came from Perth, Ontario to the Cowley area of Alberta in 1883. (Diaries and photograph: Glenbow Alberta Archives, University of Calgary, #M559)

Ella Lees arrived in Alberta with her family in late 1883, and married Charles Inderwick in 1884. They had three sons. Theirs was not a happy marriage. Even before marrying, Ella writes in her diary repeatedly that Charlie often did not show up when promised. That pattern continued after their marriage.

24 February 1884: “Expected Charlie this eve – was so awfully disappointed that I feel as if I do not want to see him at all now – what ever possessed him to stay so long…”
29 June 1884: “Charlie would not take me to Pincher Creek for some reasons best known to himself. I wish I was a boy. I could go where I chose by myself. I think Charlie very mean.”
13 August 1884: “Four months married today and have to acknowledge I am a great failure – I make Charlie wish himself ‘dead and buried’. I wish myself disposed of too.”
30 August 1884: “Prepared a nice dinner for Charlie and his people and they did not come and we are all so awfully disappointed … but it is always this way. I am always watching and waiting for him and am always being disappointed.”

However, the hardships of pioneer life also showed women that, although the inequitable laws of the time made it difficult, they could make it on their own. The ranch was not a success, and the Inderwicks returned to Ontario in 1888. They moved to Ceylon to run a tea plantation, ca. 1891, but in 1894 Ella returned to Perth, Ontario to raise her sons without Charlie.