MEG WILKINSON is a fictional character based on women who were finding their way into medical and veterinary professions in the 1890s. The real persons bearing their actual names in City Wolves include:
Dr. William Osler and Principal Duncan McEachran of the Faculty of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Science of McGill University did pioneer this vet college. Aline Cust, whom they refer to in deciding to grant Meg her degree, was the first woman in the British Isles to complete veterinary studies, actually in 1900. But the Royal Veterinary College in Edinburgh did not grant her a degree until 1923 after the Sex Disqualification Act was passed. Meanwhile Dr. Cust had been practising veterinary medicine in Ireland since 1900.
Pauline Johnson (1861–1913), daughter of a Mohawk chief of The Six Nations Reserve and his English wife, was Canada’s famous poet and performer of the late 19th century.
Shaaw Tl’áa (also known as Kate Carmack) was arguably the first to discover gold along with her husband, George Washington Carmack, their daughter “Graphie,” Shaaw Tl’áa’s brothers Keish (Skookum Jim), Kaa Goox (Charlie), and young cousin Koolsen (Patsy). Robert Henderson also claimed to be the first discoverer.
Joseph Ladue was the supplies store owner and founder of Dawson City
Belinda Mulroney became the richest businesswoman of the Klondike. Anton Stander became one of the Klondike kings, along with Jethro the “darkie” who owned the best team of matched malamutes, Clarence and Ethel Berry, Tom and Salome Lippy, Alex MacDonald the “Big Moose” from Antigonish, Lucky Swede, and Joe Ash the tavern boss.
Captain William and Amy Moore did found Moore’s landing which became Skagway. William Ogilvie was the respected surveyor.
Superintendent Charles Constantine of the North West Mounted Police kept order in Dawson City. He was eventually replaced by the more famous Colonel Sam Steele.
Captain Healy ran the Alaska Commercial Company along with Captain Hansen.
Father William Judge was “the saint” of Dawson City. Edith von Born and companion Mary E. Hitchcock did visit with their strange entourage.
Soapy Smith was indeed the notorious killer gangster who controlled Skagway until he died in a shootout.