SASKATOON — For nearly 20 years, the “Woman in the Well” was a haunting mystery in Saskatoon. Now identified as Alice Spence, her story has given her descendants both long-awaited answers and a powerful new connection to their past.
Cindy Camp never knew much about her grandmother Idella's background. After all, Idella never spoke about it, like those who experienced a loss of a loved one and chose not to dwell on the past. All Cindy knew was that her grandmother was orphaned as a teenager. And she thought that any further family history died with Idella on March 1, 1995, in British Columbia.
Camp went on with her life, raising a family of her own in Alberta. Her life, however, took an unexpected turn when last summer news broke and she learned about Alice Spence, previously known as "Woman in well", who apparently was her great-grandmother.
The remains were discovered at a construction site east of Saskatoon almost 20 years ago. The body, found inside a barrel in an old water well at the corner of Central Avenue and 108th Street in Sutherland on June 29, 2006. And for almost two decades, Spence was labelled a Jane Doe whose death was deemed a foul play.
This year, the Saskatoon Police Service Historical Crime Unit was able to identify the body as Spence. The update on this cold case, stemming from presumably late 1910s – early 1920s, was provided to the public on Sept. 29.
Sgt. Darren Funk with the SPS Historical Crime Unit said all they had were speculations about the nature of Spence's death. The case is considered closed due to circumstantial evidence pointing to the fact that those responsible had also died, given it had been 100 years, and they would not have the chance or right to defend themselves in court today.
Camp, together with her daughters Sarah and Lisa and granddaughter Bailey, represented the three generations of her family when SPS officials and other partner agencies that helped identify the “Woman in the Well” made an announcement. Camp reflected on the journey of how her great-grandmother’s remains were finally known, giving them the chance to learn their family history and connection with Saskatchewan.
Camp said it was in mid-July when they received numerous phone calls and messages from genealogist Jennifer Ford and Det. Cst. James Atkinson from the Toronto Police Service. They were skeptical at first, thinking it was a scam, and found it rather odd that these individuals would reach out to them about a relative they had never heard of. It was an unusual circumstance that seemed too strange — but it turned out to be true.
She added that it was her younger daughter, Lisa, who first received the phone calls and voice messages. After an internet search, they called Toronto police to confirm whether the individuals contacting them were genuine. That was when Ford began telling them the story of Spence, her family background, and what had happened to her while living in the then-town of Sutherland. It was shocking information for them.
“After some careful investigation and due diligence, we discovered that this was real and Alice’s story was finally coming to light. My grandmother, Idella, who was Alice’s daughter, never spoke about her family. She was orphaned at the age of 17, and like so many who have experienced such loss, she chose not to dwell on the past. But for decades, we had no idea of the incredible story that surrounded her mother, Alice,” said Camp.
“Learning about Alice’s life and the way she had been hidden away from history for so long is both surreal and emotional for our family. Knowing what we know now, I wish I could talk with my grandmother, even for an hour, to hear her side of the story. While this has been an emotional journey, we are so grateful to the many individuals who have worked tirelessly over the years to give the ‘Woman in the Well’ her name back.”
Camp added that they now feel a sense of connection to Spence’s life and the generations of women in their family who came before her. She said they are amazed at how technology has evolved to help solve long-forgotten histories and bring closure to families like theirs. On behalf of her family, she thanked the individuals and agencies who helped identify her great-grandmother, which allowed them to honour her and share her story with everyone.
“Thank you to Sgt. Funk, the [Toronto police] Genealogy Department, and all those involved in giving Alice back her name. Their dedication to this investigation and the advances in investigative genetic genealogy have made it possible to uncover the truth,” said Camp.
The family plans to place a gravestone on Spence’s unmarked grave at Woodlawn Cemetery once the city issues an official death certificate and other permits. Spence’s remains were buried on Sept. 29, 2009.
Spence was born Alice Burke in September 1881 in Negaunee, Michigan, to Bridget/Mary Golden and Thomas Burke. She had a sister, Sarah, and three brothers: John, William and Christopher. After marrying Charles Irvine Spence in St. Louis, their family moved to Sutherland in 1913.
The last known record of Alice was a 1916 census showing her, her husband Charles, and their daughter Idella living in Saskatoon. A February 1918 newspaper story reported their home in Sutherland was destroyed by fire, with no one present. Nothing was saved, and few details were provided.
Local anthropologist Dr. Ernie Walker, the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Archaeology, Western Development Museum, Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service, City of Saskatoon Archives and Infrastructure Services, Dr. Latie Crossman, and the TPS Investigative Genetic Genealogy Team were partners in helping SPS solve the case.
Crossman said they came across the case after Lauren Robilliard, an IGG member, met Funk at a conference where it was discussed.
SPS Chief Cameron McBride said the result of this investigation — identifying a person who died more than 100 years ago — demonstrated the evolving nature of technology and the discovery of new methods to solve cold cases. He added that while costs for acquiring technology and tools, as well as partnerships with professionals, are increasing, the SPS will continue to invest in these efforts to ensure cold cases have the best chance of being solved.
