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The Indiana Jones Timeline - Part 1: Thru 1914


Edited and Expanded by Allen Lane

Part 1 covers Indy's beginings thru 1914

1872

Henry Jones, Sr. is born in Scotland. (from the timeline contained in The World of Indiana Jones)

1878

Anna Jones is born of a wealthy family in Virginia. (from the timeline contained in The World of Indiana Jones)

1898

Anna and Henry Jones marry. (from the timeline contained in The World of Indiana Jones)

1899

June:

Henry Jones, Sr. graduates from Oxford. (from the timeline contained in The World of Indiana Jones)

July:

Henry Jones, Jr. is born on July 1. (YIJC - "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" ("Egypt - May 1908" section) - TV; The Mummy's Curse - YAB; CB)

1908

May:

Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. is told that he will be accompanying his parents on a two year trip to different countries as his father, the professor of Medieval Studies at Princeton, has been invited to give lectures at various schools and universities around the world. After crossing the Atlantic by steamship the Jonses arrive in England and go to Oxford where Professor Jones went to school. There young Henry is introduced to Miss Helen Seymour, who was his father's tutor and has now been hired to accompany them on their trip to tutor Indy. The two take an instant disliking to each other. On the steamship voyage to Egypt, Miss Seymour works Henry hard. The boy has a chance to show off his knowledge during a dinner at the captain's table be describing, in graphic detail, the process ancient Egyptians used to mummify their deceased. This doesn't go over too well with the other dinner guests who, one by one, ask to be excused. Upon arrival in Cairo, Professor Jones immediately begins to lecture at the university while Henry is left "to the tender mercies of the wicked witch," Miss Seymour. One afternoon, Miss Seymour decides to take Henry to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. While climbing one of the smaller pyramids, the two are stranded by their guide who is irate from an argument he had with Miss Seymour over payment for the trip. Just when the two are beginning to despair about getting back to Cairo, they spot a figure bicycling towards them. It is none other than T.E. "Ned" Lawrence (later to become known as Lawrence of Arabia during World War I), who happens to be a former student of Miss Seymour. They build a campfire and during the course of a discussion about religion and death, Lawrence scares Indy with stories of mummies coming back to life to kill grave robbers. He then invites the two to join him the next day on a trip up to the Valley of the Kings, where a friend, Howard Carter (the archeologist who would eventually open the tomb of King Tutankhamen) is working on a dig. Henry responds that he'll need permission from his father. Professor Jones gives his son permission as well as a journal to keep on his travels. Henry, Ned and Miss Seymour arrive at the dig site just as a new tomb is discovered. Howard Carter believes it to be the resting place of an Egyptian named Ka who was either an engineer or an architecht. They also find evidence of King Tutankhamen's tomb, which Carter believes exists somewhere nearby. Carter, Ned, Henry and Miss Seymour enter the tomb to find it completely scorched. Carter suspects tomb robbers, though the mummy of Ka is intact. Carter believes that the artifacts are in another hidden chamber, which they soon find. They are forced to retreat from the tomb, though, due to poisonous gas. Carter posts Rashid to guard the tomb until morning. The next day, Rashid is found dead in the tomb, hit over the head and partly burned. The mummy is also missing. The death was made to look like the mummy's curse and most of the superstitious natives flee the dig. That evening Ned confesses to Henry that he made up the stories about mummies and apologizes. Later in the evening, Ned, Henry and Miss Seymour go back to the tomb and discover that something is missing - a gold headpiece in the shape of a jackal. Early the next morning, Henry is awakened by Ned who wants to search the expedition photographer, Pierre's tent. Henry keeps an eye on Pierre, following him down to the tomb. Henry finds the mummy and Ned discovers evidence implicating Dimitrios, the expedition's demolition expert, as the thief and murderer. Ned races to Cairo to try and catch him, but is too late. Dimitrios has escaped with the gold jackal. Disappointed, Henry and Miss Seymour rejoin his parents and continue on their trip. (YIJC - "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" ("Egypt - May 1908" section) - TV; The Mummy's Curse - YAB; CB)

Indy and his family travel to Florence, Italy where they are staying with Professor and Senora Reale. They attend an opera written and conducted by Giacomo Puccini. Indy's mother is extremely moved by the love story of the opera and the beauty of the singing. Even Indy enjoys it and begins to wonder if love can be as powerful as it was portrayed in the opera. After the show, Indy and his father visit Puccini backstage who is resting with a towel over his face. Senora Reale asks Puccini if he will attend her dinner party, but he says he is too tired. However, when Puccini is introduced to Indy's mother, he is immediately taken by her beauty and says he would be honored to attend. At the party, Indy asks Puccini how he wrote the opera. Puccini tells him he did it one note after the other. Indy tells him that his mother enjoyed it so much that she cried. Puccini says that this means that she understands great love. Indy tells Puccini that they will be staying in Florence for a week while his father goes to Rome to give a lecture. Indy tells him he will be studying the laws of physics, specifically the laws of attraction. He says that tomorrow he will be going to Pisa to do an experiment just like Galileo. Puccini offers to escort them to Pisa as he grew up near there. The next day, Indy's father leaves for Rome, while Indy continues his studies of Physics with Miss Seymour. Puccini arrives a short while later and drives them to Pisa. Indy admires his motorized car and Puccini tells him that Leonardo DaVinci was the first to invent the self-propelled car, not Henry Ford. Indy and Miss Seymour climb to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa with two irons, one heavier than the other. Miss Seymour asks him which will hit the ground first if they were to drop them both at the same time. Indy replies that the heavier one would. Miss Seymour tells him that that is what Aristotle thought, but Galileo believed they would both hit the ground at the same time due to the fact that they have the same density. Indy proves this by dropping the weights which do indeed hit at the same time. Puccini asks Indy's mother about her life. He tells her about how he came to realize that he was destined to write operas about love and beauty. He tells her, however, that an artist can only create the approximation of beauty, never the real thing. He goes on to tell her about the problems he has with his marriage. That night Indy's mother receives a large bouquet of flowers from Puccini. She writes a letter to her husband and has it mailed. A few days later, they attend a rehearsal of Puccini's new opera, Madame Butterfly, and witness an argument between Puccini and one of the singers. Puccini tells them that a singer alone cannot portray his emotions; he needs an actress also. Puccini gives Indy's mother a piece of the sheet music from the opera signed, "To Senora Jones, who feels the music." He then offers to show them around Florence tomorrow. That night Indy's mother explains to him how music is a special language that can convey a wide range of emotions. The next day, Indy's mother is enjoying the guided tour of Florence. While alone, Puccini confesses to Indy's mother that he feels that they are connected and should be together, however, she tells him that she is married and no matter what her feelings are for him, they must speak no further of it. She asks him to take them back to the house. The following day at breakfast, Indy asks his mother what is bothering her. She seems upset that she hasn't received a reply from his father in the mail. Indy tells her that he'll be back the following night. They decide to go sight seeing on their own that day, however, Puccini tracks them down. Miss Seymour steers Indy away from them so his mother and Puccini can speak in private. Puccini apologizes to her, but says he could not stay away. He says he wants to work with her in his sight because she has revitalized his passion. She is extremely distraught over the feelings she has for him and asks to be left alone. Indy interrupts them as he realizes something is going on. Puccini asks her to meet him in the Botany Gardens that evening. She refuses, but he says he will wait until she comes. That evening, Indy's mother leaves him and Miss Seymour to take a walk. She meets Puccini in the garden and they kiss passionately. They spend the evening walking together throughout Florence. They arrive back at the opera house where Puccini's play is opening. The play is a success and he walks her back to the house. Miss Seymour spots them from her window as they kiss. Miss Seymour confronts her when she comes inside and asks she is still planning on leaving Florence for Paris when Professor Jones returns. She says yes, but is obviously still considering staying. The next day, Indy and Miss Seymour are visiting the science museum while his mother goes shopping. Indy says that he has noticed that his mother has been acting strange which she doesn't seem to do when his father is around. He wishes that his father had written his mother a letter. Looking through a telescope at the street below he spots his mother having lunch with Puccini. Puccini asks Anna to come away with him. She says it is too fast, but he tells her that the train leaves at midnight. She runs from him in confusion. That night Indy asks his mother about her "shopping" earlier that day and asks if she saw Puccini. She says she ran into him while shopping. Indy goes to bed and Anna begins crying. Miss Seymour tries to comfort her, but she says how confused she is concerning Puccini. She tells Miss Seymour that Puccini wants her to go away with him as Indy listens at the door to his room. She tells Miss Seymour that she does love him, but Miss Seymour warns her that passion always burns brightest at first and that Puccini had no right to ask her to give up everything for him. Anna admits that she does still love her father and doesn't want to think of leaving him or Indy, but she is electrified when she is with Puccini. That night Anna goes to the train station and walks past Puccini to great her husband. She tells him how much she has missed him and tells him she wants to always stay together. Puccini walks away heartbroken. (YIJC - "Florence - May 1908" - TV)

September:

Miss Seymour is showing Indy Paris, "The City of Art." While in the Louvre, they meet another boy, young fourteen-year-old Norman Rockwell. They look at some paintings by Edgar Degas, but Indy is unimpressed with impressionism. Afterwards, Miss Seymour takes the boys to a puppet show which neither of them appreciate. They manage to convince her to let them stay for another show while she goes back to the hotel to write letters. They promise to be back in one hour. Instead, Norman promises to take Indy to where the real artists hang out. They go to a rather disreputable-looking tavern where many artist including Degas, Pablo Picasso and George Braque are currently having a heated discussion about cubism. Degas is critiquing the work of Picasso. He doesn't like Picasso's work and calls it destructive. Picasso says that artists need a new way of seeing things. Degas warns Picasso not pursue this new line of work as it could ruin his career. Picasso scoffs at the warning, saying he can do what Degas does in his sleep. Norman leaps to defend Degas, saying that no one can paint like him. Picasso invites Norman and Indy to his apartment to watch him prove his claim. There, Picasso poses his model and works in pastel. As he works, he explains to the boys Degas' technique. When he's finished, he tosses it aside and will now do the painting the way Degas does it - from memory. Picasso's assistant shows Norman some of Picasso's early experiments with cubism. Norman sketches some of it in his notebook. Even though the assistant rendered some of the paintings, he says that it is the painting and not the painter that is important. Picasso has finished the painting and it indeed looks like a work of Degas'. Picasso sees the sketch in Norman's notebook and signs it. They decide to go somewhere and get something to eat. Meanwhile, Miss Seymour is frantic wondering where Indy is. She calls the police, but has little confidence in the police inspector she deals with. Along their way to a restaurant, Picasso invites along a couple of prostitutes. Indy thinks that he should be heading back to the hotel, but Norman convinces him to stay. Picasso has the two prostitutes dance with Norman and Indy while he tries to devise a way to get Degas to sign his painting. A little later, the prostitutes' pimps shows up and confront Picasso. A fight breaks out, but Picasso, his assistant, Indy and Norman manage to make it out. Later, Picasso is helping Indy with a paper on DaVinci that he has to write for Miss Seymour. They also talk about his new style and how Picasso is trying to give spirit some form. Before they part for the night, Picasso invites them to a party the next evening. As Indy and Norman walk back to the hotel, they are accosted by the same two pimps, who chase them into a graveyard. They manage to frighten them off by using an old sheet and a skull to make a "ghost." Back at the hotel, Indy sneaks past Miss Seymour and hides in the large wardrobe closet. The next morning, Miss Seymour finds him there. Indy tells her that he was there the whole time working on his paper and must have fallen asleep, but Miss Seymour is suspicious. The next night, Miss Seymour goes to bed, but locks Indy in his room. He climbs out the window and is almost killed when the gutter he is hanging on gives way. He makes it safely the rest of the way down and catches up to Norman outside the party. They go inside to find that everyone is wearing costumes. There, they meet Kent Wyler, an art dealer who wishes to buy one of Picasso's cubist works. They are also introduced to Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Tonklin. Picasso is able to persuade another painter, Henri Rousseau, to tell a ghost story. At the story's climax, in walks Miss Seymour, who woke and discovered that Indy was gone, but had written down where he was going. Picasso pulls out a gun and marches Miss Seymour into another room. Once there, Picasso sketches her. She likes the traditional portrait he has done of her, but is totally impressed with the cubist version he did as well. Miss Seymour is also shown Picasso's forgery. Wyler sees it and, unaware that it is a forgery, wants to buy it for a thousand francs. Picasso acts reluctant and says that it is not signed. Wyler says that he'll get it signed. At the cafe, Wyler gets Degas, who's eyesight has begun to fail him and think it is one of his paintings, to sign the painting. A delighted Picasso lets everyone know that it was he who painted the picture not Degas. Wyler becomes angry. Norman and Indy, thinking the trick Picasso played on Degas was a rotten one, deny the claim. Norman says that it looks like a Degas and it is signed by degas, so therefore it must be one. Indy then sells Wyler Norman's cubist sketch for a thousand francs which infuriates Picasso. He splits the money with Norman and Picasso. Indy tells Picasso that maybe he should stay around Paris and become his agent. (YIJC - "Paris - September 1908" - TV)

November:

Professor Jones has decided to the first Psycho-Analytical Conference being held in Vienna. The family is staying at the American Ambassador's residence. Indy is taking riding lessons with the children of some of the city's elite, among them the daughter of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Princess Sophie. At one point she loses her hat, which Indy retrieves for her. He is rebuked by the instructor for his actions. Down in the stables, he introduces himself to her. She invites him along for a walk in the park, accompanied by Miss Seymour and her governess, Emilie. Afterwards, they go to eat at a rather expensive hotel. Indy and Sophie go for a stroll in the hotel's greenhouse. Looking outside, they can see people skating on a frozen lake. Sophie says she has never tried skating, so Indy convinces her to do so. However, as Indy begins to show her the ropes, Emilie arrives and takes her away, furious. Indy is in big trouble. When his father finds out he is mad and withdraws him from his ridding lessons. Indy's mother is a bit more sympathetic. She explains to him that the royal family has many enemies and what they did wasn't safe for Sophie. She tells him that he'll make some other friends, but he responds that there's no one like her in the whole world. The next day during tutoring, Miss Seymour catches Indy writing an apology letter to Sophie. She begins to teach Indy about poetry, particularly the works of Byron and Shelley. Indy wonders if he could be in love. The following day, Indy receives a letter from Sophie, in which she thanks him for the time they spent together. Indy's spirits are raised and he spends the day looking for a small gift to give her. In one shop, he sees the perfect gift - a small glass globe with two ice skating figurines inside. However, it costs too much. he continues to wander through the city, eventually spoiling a con man's shell game by showing the victim how it was done. The grateful man gives Indy some money and it is enough for him to go back to the shop and buy the glass globe. However, when he goes to the place to give it to Sophie, he is chased away by the guards. That evening at dinner, the Joneses are joined by Carl Jung, Alfred Adler and Sigmund Freud, who get into a discussion about the role sexuality plays in the makeup of human nature. Indy asks about love and while the three men cannot agree on what exactly it is, Freud tells him he should not deny it, but shout it out. Later that night, Indy sneaks out of the embassy and goes to the palace. He refuses to leave until he gets to talk to the Archduke. Ultimately, he is taken to see him. He tells the Archduke that he wishes to marry Sophie when he is older and would like to say good-bye to her before he leaves in the morning. While the Archduke admires Indy's determination, he refuses. He then arranges for a carriage to take Indy back to the embassy. Once the carriage dropped him off, it heads back to the palace, but Indy has managed to hide himself aboard. At the palace stables, he comes out of his hiding place and enters the palace. He sneaks through the halls, dodging the guards and using dumb waiters and a discovered secret passage to get to Sophie's room. She is happy to see him and gives him a gift of a locket with her picture. Indy gives her the globe and tells her that he's in love with her. They kiss briefly and he says good-bye. He climbs down the balcony and sneaks off the palace grounds as she waves good-bye. (YIJC - "Vienna - November 1908" - TV; CB)

1909

September:

The Joneses arrive at a coffee plantation in British East Africa near Nairobi at the invitation of one of Professor Jones' old classmates, Richard Meldicot. From there they are invited to go on safari with ex-president Theodore Roosevelt, who is there to collect specimens for the Smithsonian, and Frederick Selous, the best game hunter in Africa. On the trip to the site, young Henry is captivated by the beautiful countryside and its majestic animals. Upon arriving at camp, he hurriedly unpacks, anxious to meet his famous host. He is understandably disappointed when he finds out that Roosevelt wont be back until nightfall. In the meantime, Meldicot shows Indy around the camp, introducing him to Heller, a taxidermist, and other members of the expedition. Left on his own, Indy wanders outside of camp. While exploring, he glimpses a young African boy roughly his own age tending sheep. Before he has a chance to approach the boy, he is called back to camp. Indy arrives just in time to witness the arrival of his host, Teddy Roosevelt, and is suitably impressed. That evening, Roosevelt and company are wondering about the disappearance of Burton's Fring-Eared Oryx. Normally the animals should be plentiful in the area, but not one has been spotted. Roosevelt is perplexed as he wishes to bring a few specimens home for museums. The next day, Roosevelt teaches Indy to shoot a rifle. He also gives him a pair of binoculars to explore the surrounding countryside. He then leaves to go hunting. Later in the day, as Miss Seymour is teaching Indy about African wildlife, he vows to find the oryx for Roosevelt. As he's exploring around the camp, he encounters the young tribal boy again. This time, Indy uses basic sign language to introduce himself as "Indy." The boy introduces himself as Meto. Indy spends the rest of the afternoon with Meto, exploring and learning Meto's language. Later that day, Indy and Roosevelt have a discussion. Indy is disturbed by the number of animals that the hunting party has already killed. Roosevelt tells Indy that the animals are going to museums so that people can appreciate nature more. After dinner and over a game of checkers, Indy tells Roosevelt that he will help him find the oryx. Their discussion is interrupted by a shot. One of the party has shot and killed a lion that was roaming just outside of camp. While the adults congratulate each other, Indy becomes more disturbed. The Next day, Indy is up early and goes to Meto for help in finding the oryx. Back at camp, he is missed and a search commences. Meto takes Indy to a village elder who, through pictures drawn in the sand, describes the fate of the oryx. Indy heads back to camp. As night falls, he makes his way across the veldt, becoming increasingly scared of the animal noises emanating from the dark. He is finally found by one of the bearers. Taken back to camp, Indy is punished and not given a chance to explain. The next morning, Meto comes to camp and he and Indy leave before anyone else is awake. Meto takes Indy to a place where there are oryxes. Indy then sneaks back to camp before breakfast. Over breakfast, Indy announces that he and Meto have found a small heard of oryx. Indy relates the story he heard from the village elder to Roosevelt. The oryx's main food source is a root melon. Recently, a great fire had killed off most of the area's snake population. The snakes had controlled the population of mole rats. With no natural predators, the mole rats flourished and burrowed underground for food, eating the root melons. This forced the oryx herd to look for food elsewhere. Indy leads Roosevelt and a hunting party to where the oryx herd is grazing. The party brings down two when Indy intercedes, stating that there's been enough killing. Roosevelt agrees, stating that the oryx are rare and that they don't know what animals may depend on the oryx. Their job completed, the hunting party packs up and heads back to civilization. Indy leaves Meto a good-bye gift of his binoculars. (YIJC - "British East Africa - September 1909" - TV; Safari Sleuth - YAB; CB)

1910

January:

The Jones family arrives in Benares, on the Ganges River. They are staying at the Hindu National College. One afternoon while Indy is supposed to be studying geometry, he decides to sneak out for a look around the city. He sees some children playing in a field and is invited to join them. He thinks they are playing baseball, but they are actually playing cricket. One of the boys introduces himself as Krishnamurti and asks about baseball. Indy teaches the game to them, but they don't quite get the hang of it. After a while, Miss Seymour comes looking for him. He tells her that he was engaged in a cultural exchange, though Miss Seymour is not totally convinced by his story. That evening, the family goes to a reception given by Annie Besant and the Theosophical Society. Miss Seymour is not in favor of going saying that they preach free love and socialism. Professor Jones counters her claims and says that they are also strong advocates of women's rights. He explains to Indy that Theosophists are looking to explore the common ground that all religions share. At the reception, Besant introduces Charles Leadbeater, who says that he has discovered a new world teacher or Messiah. He then introduces young Krishnamurti. Miss Seymour is unimpressed and gets into a debate with Besant later in the evening. Leadbeater gives Miss Seymour a copy of his book and they make plans to meet for tea the next day. At tea, Miss Seymour asks Besant about Leadbeater and his claims of auras and visions. Besant has faith in what Leadbeater says. Indy sees Krishnamurti meditating and decides to try it himself. Besant tells Miss Seymour to try to keep an open mind about things. Leadbeater shows Miss Seymour the Theosophist's library. Miss Seymour tells him that she is skeptical of his claims. He tells her that even though she has never seen the devil she still believes in one. Outside, Krishnamurti is finished meditating and he and Indy decide to go for a bike ride. Along the way, they discuss the nature of God and how various religions perceive him. Krishnamurti tells Indy about Buddha and they see a Hindu funeral along the Ganges. Back at the Theosophist's Headquarters, Besant and Miss Seymour talk some more. Miss Seymour apologizes for judging first. She then goes outside to look for Indy. While in the garden, she encounters young Hubert Van Hook, from Chicago. He tells her that Miss Besant had thought he was going to be the New World Teacher until Leadbeater showed up with Krishnamurti. He says that Leadbeater lied in his book about the visions and he can prove it. Meanwhile, Indy and Krishnamurti come across a crying woman in the marketplace. Her child had just died in her arms. Krishnamurti is able to comfort her without saying a word and barely touching her. Miss Seymour sneaks into Leadbeater's office and searches through his desk until she finds an early draft of his book. Leadbeater walks in and catches her. She accuses him of fraud and says that she intends to expose him. He tells her to go right ahead. She takes the draft to Besant who won't look at the manuscript. She says that she has faith in Leadbeater and that is all she needs. The boys return as Miss Seymour is leaving. Indy gives Krishnamurti a baseball card of Ty Cobb as a souvenir, while he gives Indy a vial of water from the Ganges River. He also tells Indy that the Theosophy Society is looking for someone to lead them to God, but everyone has to do that for themselves. God is compassion and love, no matter what religion one belongs to. (YIJC - "Benares - January, 1910" - TV)

March:

The Jones family has arrived in Peking where Professor Jones is working with some university scholars and translators. Mrs. Jones and Miss Seymour are determined to see the sights of China and are taking Indy with them. Although Henry, Sr. is worried about his wife's health, she tells him that she is fine. They set out with their guide Mr. Li. On the train, Miss Seymour is tutoring Indy in Chinese history when he notices a suspicious looking Chinese man looking into their compartment. The man moves along when he notices that Indy sees him. They first visit a Buddhist Temple and then the Great Wall. Afterwards, they take a barge to their next destination. On board, Mrs. Jones and Miss Seymour discuss the possibility of seeing the birthplace of Confucius. Mr. Li tells them that the journey will be long and hard, but they insist. While Miss Seymour is quizzing Indy, he tells her that he thinks it is more important to learn a country's language and culture than it's history. He also sees the same suspicious man again and tells Mr. Li. Mr. Li says that it is probably a coincidence. Indy wonders if it could be one of those revolutionaries that do not like foreigners that he heard his father talk of. Later that evening at the inn, Mr. Li is explaining Chinese philosophy to Mrs. Jones and Miss Seymour, when Indy thinks he sees the mysterious man again. He doesn't say anything to the adults. The next day, they hire a wagon for the journey. The driver, Ah Pin, only speaks "pigeon" English. Along the way, Mr. Li instructs Indy in the Chinese language. He shows Indy how inflection is important and can change the meaning of a word. Indy complains of a headache. Later, Mr. Li tells the ladies that he feels there is a lack of dignity in the use of pigeon English. While the adults are away, Indy sees the suspicious looking man around the cart. The man tells Ah Pin that Mr. Li is looking for him. He then tries to steal the wagon, but Indy has unhitched the horses. Mr. Li threatens the suspicious man and then sends him on his way. Mr. Li then tells Indy not to mention the incident to the women. Ah Pin would loose face if it were revealed he was tricked. he tells Indy that he acted well and doesn't need the approval of others. They get new horses and proceed on their trip. As they continue across the country in the wagon, Indy starts to become sicker and is soon running a fever. Storm clouds start to gather and they decide to head for a nearby mission. The rain continues to come down as Indy's condition worsens. Eventually, they come to a river that they have to cross. Halfway across, the horses frighten and bolt, overturning the cart. Everyone gets to shore, but their luggage is all washed downstream. They make their way through the rain to a farmhouse. The family welcomes them in and they quickly try to get Indy warm and dry. They tell Mrs. Jones that the nearest American doctor is three days away at the mission, but there is a local Chinese doctor. Mrs. Jones doesn't trust the local doctor. The next day, Mr. Li tells them that even though the family is poor, they are glad to host them until Indy is better. Hospitality is very important to the Chinese. Indy's condition continues to worsen. They manage to get the cart fixed, but Indy is too sick to travel. Ah Pin and Miss Seymour set out to the American mission for the doctor. A delirious Indy asks his mother if he's going to die, just like his sister did when she was little. She tells him no. The next day, they witness and altercation between the family's father and a man on a donkey. Their attention is diverted when Indy throws a fit. Mr. Li says that there is still two days until the doctor arrives. That evening the family prays for Indy. Mrs. Jones is determined that their son is not going to die and sends for the Chinese doctor. He arrives the next day and examines Indy. He decides that Indy must be treated with acupuncture. A delirious Indy becomes upset and this bothers his mother. The Chinese mother tries to comfort her. Mrs. Jones holds Indy's hand throughout the procedure and tells him to trust in the doctor. As he applies the needles, Dr. Win Ch-Iu explains what he is doing. Mr. Li translates for him. When he is done, he says that Indy will recover if his strength holds. Miss Seymour arrives with Dr. James Morton from the mission. He is very pleased to meet Dr. Wen Ch-Iu, one of the few local physicians who is not a quack. Morton says that Indy probably had Typhoid Fever, but is getting better. Ah Pin also found some of their luggage. As Indy regains his strength, he spends time playing Chinese checkers with the children and learning their language. A few days later, the man on the donkey returns. Mr. Li explains that the father had to borrow money and used the land as collateral. The debt is now due, but he can't pay. Mrs. Jones decides to pay the debt out of gratitude, but Mr. Li says that the father would lose face. She says that she owes them something for all of their hospitality. She gives him the money, which he gives to the debt collector. She also buys the family some chickens and they have a small feast before leaving to continue their journey. (YIJC - "Peking - March 1910" - TV; CB)

Late Summer:

Indy and his family are staying in Russia with friends of his father's who invited them to their daughter's wedding. Indy tries to behave himself and enjoy the wedding at the same time, but fails to do so. He leans against a cart with crystal on it which send it crashing into a passing waiter. Indy's father takes him out into the hall to reprimand him. He tells Indy that he is to stand in the hall and not move, however, Indy disobeys him. As he walks into an adjoining room, he brushes against a handle attached to the rope a huge chandelier is hanging from. The handle comes unlocked and the chandelier crashes down onto the wedding cake. Indy's parents look on in disbelief and his mother brings him to his room. Indy apologizes to his mother, but she tells him that his father will deal with him in the morning. Indy, feeling he is being treated unfairly, climbs down a gutter drain outside his window and runs away. The next morning, Miss Seymour wakes Indy's parents to tell them that Indy is gone. Indy's father begins to search for him. Indy, sleeping in a haystack, is awoken by a small weasel. He tries to shoot it with his slingshot, but hits an old man who was also sleeping in the haystack. The old man advances on him swinging a stick and yelling in Russian. Indy says that he doesn't speak Russian, so the man starts yelling at him in English. The man says how e hates young people and walks off with Indy's slingshot. Indy follows him trying to get his slingshot back. The man tells him to stop following him, but Indy refuses. The man gives him back his slingshot and tells him to get off his side of the ride. Indy walks with him (on his side of the rode) and explains how he is running away back to America. When Indy questions why the man doesn't want to turn Indy into his parents the man says that he never did what he was supposed to do and he is also running away. Indy doesn't believe him because he's old. The man asks him if he thinks only little boys are driven crazy by their parents. Meanwhile, Indy's parents are getting extremely worried about him. Indy asks the man if he is going to miss anyone. The man says he'll miss his dogs. Indy says he misses his dog also. Indy's sole comes off his book and the man says he'll fix it. The man shows Indy his prize possession, his bible. Indy shows him his baseball mitt and ball. He explains to him the basics of the game and shows him his baseball card collection. Indy says he wouldn't give up his prize card for all of the gold in China. The man says he feels the same way about his bible. With Indy's boot fixed, the two continue on their way. They begin to feel hungry and Indy starts eating the apple he brought with him. He offers the man one bite, but the man manages to eat half of the apple with his one bite. Indy complains, but the man tells him that things should be divided each according to his needs. Since he is bigger than Indy, he requires more. Indy states that it was his apple, but the man says that it grew on a tree in the ground and belongs to the world. Indy says he will never share anything with him again. The two continue on in silence as it begins to thunder. Indy's father says that he should never have brought Indy along on his trip through Europe. Miss Seymour says that every boy runs away at some point even he did. Indy's father claims that it wasn't the same when he ran away. Indy and the man reach a village and the villagers rush to great the man yelling, "Tolstoy!" Indy is amazed at how friendly the people are to Tolstoy. The villagers welcome "Count" Tolstoy into their inn and give him food to eat. Indy watches from the window as rain begins to pour down on him. Tolstoy yells at him to get inside and stop making him feel guilty. Once Indy finishes the meal he asks if Tolstoy is some kind of king in disguise. Tolstoy tells him that he wrote a few books years ago, but they weren't very good. He tells Indy that he is running away to nowhere in particular. He just wants a simpler life, closer to God. Indy tells him he can run away to New Jersey with him and Tolstoy agrees. The Russian police arrive looking for Tolstoy and tell him they are here to take him back to his family. Indy flips the table up and knocks down the police. In the confusion, he and Tolstoy escape. Indy's father becomes increasingly worried about the dangers that Indy might encounter and blames himself for Indy running away. As Indy and Tolstoy hide in a barn, they watch as Imperial Cossack troops ride by. Tolstoy tells him that they are ruthless and are used by the government to ride themselves of "certain unfortunate ethnic groups." Indy finally places the name "Tolstoy" and asks if he is the author of War and Peace. Indy says his father thinks he's great, but Tolstoy says his father is an imbecile. Tolstoy says they should head for the train station. On the way, they stop so Indy can teach Tolstoy about baseball. Indy says it's too bad Tolstoy wasted all those years writing because he could have been a great hitter. A group of gypsies pass by and give the two of them a ride. That night, Tolstoy tells everyone a scary story around the campfire. While they all dance around the campfire, the Cossacks attack killing many of the gypsies. Tolstoy is knocked down by a Cossack on a horse, but Indy rescues him. The two flee as the camp is set on fire. Indy brings Tolstoy to a church, but the monk tries to throw them out thinking they are beggars. Indy tells him that the man is Tolstoy and they try to help him. As Tolstoy comes to he realizes where he is and runs out. He tells Indy that they drive people away from God and he'd sooner die than receive help from them. Tolstoy falls unconscious in a field nearby and Indy screams for help. Some men hear him and bring Tolstoy inside their house. The next day, Indy asks Tolstoy why he hates the church so much. He says that they diminish God by claiming to speak for him. He tells Indy not to try to see God through spectacles borrowed from the church, but instead through his own eyes. Meanwhile, Miss Seymour isn't feeling well from all of the worry. Indy's father just wishes he could talk to him and begins crying. Indy and Tolstoy arrive at the train station just as the train leaves. Indy notices that Tolstoy is not doing too well. He tells him that he doesn't think he is up to the trip. Tolstoy gets angry as Indy tells him that he thinks he should return to his family. Tolstoy agrees to go as long as Indy will return to his family as well. Indy's father and mother are looking in on Miss Seymour who is bedridden when a hotel clerk knocks at the door to tell them that Indy has been found. Indy's mother makes his father promise that he won't be too hard on him. Indy's parents arrive at Tolstoy's estate and are reunited with Indy. Indy apologizes for running away. Before he can accept, Indy's father spots Tolstoy and is amazed. Indy introduces his parents to Tolstoy. After they leave, Tolstoy goes inside to rest. Indy's mother asks where Indy got the bible he has. Indy says he traded Tolstoy his baseball card collection for it. Tolstoy takes out the baseball cards and enthusiastically reads through them. Indy and his parents leave Russia for Athens, Greece. While on the train, Indy's father blames him for Miss Seymour's condition. Indy says he hates his father. (YOUNG INDIANA JONES - TRAVELS WITH FATHER - TVM)

Early Autumn:

After arriving in Greece, Indy's father takes him and his mother to see the Parthanon, however, Indy's mother decides they should return to the hotel to look in on Miss Seymour. The next day, Indy's mother leaves to visit her sister for the weekend and leaves Indy to accompany his father to the Parthanon. Both Indy and his father do not like the fact that they are stuck with each other. Indy's father says that he has to go to the hanging monastery in Kalabaka, but Indy's mother says that he'll have to take Indy with him. His father tries to argue that it is dangerous, but she disagrees. After she leaves, Indy's father lectures him on his behavior and says that he has enough work for Indy to keep him busy throughout the weekend. Upon reaching the Parthanon, Indy's father gives instructions to the cab driver in ancient Greek, but Indy isn't sure that he understood properly. Indy's father tells Indy that this was the birthplace of Philosophy and explains to him the fundamentals of it. He tells him of Aristotle's teachings of logic in a system called syllogism. He demonstrates by using a stick as a sword and acting out a fight. He falls to the floor seemingly dead. As Indy rushes to his side, he jumps up and says that all men are mortal which is a general truth. He is a man, ergo he is mortal which is a specific truth. He them says that Socrates is a man, ergo Socrates is mortal which is a syllogism. This, he tells Indy, is an example of Aristotelian logic and that deductive logic is the key that will unlock the great mysteries of out universe and our very existence. The questions that Aristotle asked marked a turning point in the history of mankind. These thoughts set us apart from all the other creatures in the world. They go to leave, but Indy finds that the cab is gone. His father points to a cab and says that that is logically their cab. Their cab was parked there; this cab is parked there now; ergo that is their cab. They get in the cab and take off. They soon realize that the driver is not the same and they are kicked out of the cab. They begin trekking to the monastery on foot. On the way, Indy's father continues to lecture to Indy about the ancient Greeks. Eventually a horse and buggy approaches and they manage to get a ride. Indy's father tries to continue lecturing over the sounds of the chickens in the buggy and another rider's wind flute. They are dropped off still far away from the monastery looking completely disheveled. The bathe in the ocean to clean up, however, a group of goats eat holes in their clothes. They arrive in a nearby village wearing nothing, but pieces of a bush and manage to get some very "native" looking clothes from the peasants. They manage to get a lift from a man named Aristotle whose donkey pulling the cart is named Plato. Aristotle asks Indy's father if he is interested in politics. When his father says no, Aristotle calls him an idiot. Indy is shocked, however, his father explains that the English word "idiot" comes from a Greek word meaning "one ho is not interested in politics." Indy's father and Aristotle soon get into an argument about democracy. Indy's father says that Greece is the home of democracy. He explains Plato and Aristotle's system of government. The three begin getting confused about what they are arguing about since Indy's father is constantly talking about what Aristotle and Plato said and the driver keeps thinking he is talking about him and his donkey. Aristotle kicks Indy's father, "the raving democrat," out of the buggy. Indy's father walks alongside while Indy refuses to get out of the cab. He says that if this is really a democracy like his father argued than he can stay in the cab if he wants. They eventually arrive at the hanging monastery which is situated at the top of a mountain and get into a cage which will be raised up the side of the mountain by the monks above. On the trip up Indy notices the height is bothering his father who is sitting completely still. They are greeted by the monks and told that the following day the monks will be cloistered and will keep a vow of silence for the following two days. After dinner, they are shown to their room which is basically a closet with one hard bed. The next day, Indy watches the monks as they chant. He then goes to the library and tries to keep quiet while his father translates texts. He tells his father that he is bored. His father's solution is to make Indy look up Aristotle's laws of syllogism and write three pages on the nature of Aristotelian logic and its relation to causality. Indy finds the books his father referred him to and begins to read through them. Indy meets Nikos Kazantzakis who is also studying the texts at the monastery. He looks at the assignment Indy's father gave him and decides to help him out. He explains that Aristotle said that nature does not act without a cause; which sprang from his theory of causality. He demonstrates this by having Indy give a push to an orange set atop some books. He states that there are many factors that caused the orange to fall: the essence of the orange (its weight), the structure of the orange (it is round), the fact that Indy pushed it, and finally, that it's function included seeking the lowest level. Indy interprets this last factor to be gravity, but Nikos says that the function of the orange is to fall from the tree to make another orange. Indy writes in his paper what Nikos explained him, but he asks what causes nature? Nikos says that this is a question that comes from wisdom and not logic. He says that this is the question that Indy's father wanted him to find. He says God, the prime cause, dances beyond the bounds of logic. He says that wisdom is greater than logic, but it leaves you asking whether you can accept something as being true without proof. Later in the day, Indy and his father say goodbye to the monks at the elevator cage. The monks head off to begin their vow of silence and Indy gives his father his report. They board the cage and begin to be lowered down. Indy's father reads the report on the way down and says it is good although he doesn't agree that wisdom is greater than logic. The cage stops and Indy's father steps out to find that they are only halfway down. he manages to grab hold of the cage as he falls and climbs back in. Indy begins to suspect the worst, thinking that the monks have stranded them there so they will starve to death. They yell for help, however, no one answers. The sun begins to set the temperature starts dropping. They start a small fire using pieces of wood from the cage, however the cage itself catches on fire. Indy's father stamps out the father and accidentally breaks a whole in the floor of the cage. The next morning, they begin to doubt that the monks will find them and try to devise a plan on how to save themselves. Indy's father attempts to climb up the rope that the cage is hanging from, but only gets a few feet before his fear of heights freezes him in place. He slides back down the rope and burns his hands in the process. The rope then begins to fray. Indy says they need to be logical to get out of the predicament. He reasons a ladder is made of wood and the cage is made of wood; ergo their cage is a ladder. They break off pieces of wood and rope and make individual ladder rungs that can be fastened to the rope above and then unfastened once they have climbed above each rung. Indy's father makes it past the part of the rope that is fraying and barely manages to grab hold of Indy and the rope snaps and the cage plummets to the ground. They reach the top of the mountain cliff and find that the monk working the pulley controlling the cage was knocked unconscious when the pulley fell from the roof. Indy and his father laugh as the tension is released and share a hug. (YOUNG INDIANA JONES - TRAVELS WITH FATHER - TVM)

1912

April:

Indy's former tutor Miss Seymour has inherited a large sum of money from her recently deceased distant cousin Roger and invited Indy and his parents to come see her new home in Oxford, England. Indy's parents are too busy, but they send Indy on a transatlantic ocean liner to visit her. While there, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of one of Indy's favorite literary heroes Sherlock Holmes, replies to a fan letter Indy had written him by inviting Indy to tea at Claridge's Hotel in London. Indy talks Miss Seymour into letting him go alone. On the way, Indy witnesses a bomb explode in a mailbox. Witnesses think it was planted by suffragettes, but a policeman tells Indy it was the work of the Irish. Indy arrives at Claridge's and is welcomed by Conan Doyle. Over tea, Conan Doyle tells Indy the importance of observation in order to be a good detective. Conan Doyle takes Indy to see Madame Baclava, a psychic. She tells Conan Doyle that she sees years of success for him, but that someone very close to him will die in a terrible war. Conan Doyle believes that she must mean that he will eventually have to kill Sherlock Holmes in his war with crime, however, years later Conan Doyle will come to realize that it was his son she saw dying in World War I. In Indy's future she sees a big ship, a sea voyage, terrible danger and a gigantic catastrophe. As Indy leaves Conan Doyle, he tells him that he's sailing back to America, but there's no way the fortune will come true as he's on the safest ship in the world, the Titanic. On the way to the ship, Indy begins to notice how much Miss Seymour has changed due to her new wealth. Among her flashy attire is the Shalimar Diamond, a large and valuable jewel which her brother had brought back from India. On the Titanic, Miss Seymour meets a man named Colonel Osmond Gilbert who begins spending all of his time flattering her. Indy begins to suspect that Gilbert may be more interested in Miss Seymour's diamond than in her. At dinner, Indy meets Roger Sampson, an Inspector at Scotland Yard, who tells Indy he is going to America to lecture the New York police. Indy also meets Professor Khan of Calcutta University who tells Miss Seymour that the Shalimar Diamond was originally stolen from his people in India. Later that night Indy begins touring the ship and stumbles across an Irish woman hiding in a rescue boat. She introduces herself as Molly Kincaid and tells him that she had to run away from London to escape an abusive employer. Indy agrees to meet her the next day to help smuggle her into the third class section. While helping Molly the next day, Indy overhears two men talking in German about how they will have to row far enough away from the ship or else they'll be sucked under when the Titanic goes down. The two men leave and Indy distracts a purser while Molly sneaks down to third class. Indy then goes to see Sampson and tells him about the possible saboteurs. Indy tells him he wants to help and Sampson gives Indy the assignment of spying on Otto Dietrich, a famous German opera singer. Indy follows Dietrich the next day, but is seen and caught. Indy tells Dietrich that he is a big fan of the opera singer. Dietrich buys the story and gives Indy a private concert much to Indy's dismay. Indy reports back to Sampson to tell him that Dietrich seems clean, however, Sampson wants him to continue to spy on him. Later, while trailing Dietrich, Indy meets up with Molly again. She tells Indy that she has been shoving pamphlets supporting the suffragette movement under the doors of the first class passengers. The next day at breakfast Miss Seymour is speaking out against the suffragettes which surprises Indy since she has always been in favor of them. Indy realizes how much influence Gilbert has had on her. Indy is even more surprised when Miss Seymour announces that she and Gilbert will be married by the ship's captain the following day. One of the pursers suddenly bursts in and tells Indy that Molly needs him to come to her cabin before it's too late, however, when Indy arrives he finds that Molly has been captured by the Germans and now he too is a prisoner. Indy learns that the Germans plan on sinking the Titanic in order to cause a devastating blow to the Atlantic shipping trade. Inspector Rogers arrives and Indy learns that he, too, is a German saboteur. Right before the Germans can execute Indy and Molly, a loud noise is heard and water begins pouring in on them. Indy and Molly manage to escape in the confusion as the Germans are left to a water grave. When they reach the deck, Indy and Molly learn that the ship has struck an ice berg and will sink within a few hours. Indy races to Miss Seymour's cabin and finds her being threatened at knife point by Professer Khan. Khan wants to return the Shalimar Diamond to India. Miss Seymour promises to give him the diamond, but Gilbert, dressed as a woman in order to get on a lifeboat, arrives an knocks-out Khan. Gilbert admits that he was after Miss Seymour's money the whole time, but since she invested all her money in the White Star Line at his prompting, she has lost it all with the sinking of their flagship. Miss Seymour tackles Gilbert and Indy knocks him out with a blow to the head with a vase. Miss Seymour vows to give the diamond away; she's had her fill of being wealthy and wants her life to return to normal. As Miss Seymour and Molly get into a lifeboat, many of the passengers spot the lights from a nearby ship. Indy realizes the ship must have been in league with the German saboteurs. At the last minute, Indy refuses to get into the lifeboat saying that only women and children should be allowed to escape on them. Molly knocks him out in order to get him aboard and Indy awakens in time to see the Titanic go under. (Young Indiana Jones and the Titanic Adventure - YAB)

May:

Tragedy strikes the Jones family when Anna Jones contracts Scarlet fever and dies.

June:

Indy returns to the United States while his father lectures in Boston. He travels a bit with Helen (it is her first time in America) along the New England coast and engages in a treasure hunt after hearing tales of Captain Kidd's exploits. (Young Indiana Jones and the Pirates' Loot - YAB)

Summer:

Back at home in Utah, Indy acquires his famous fedora, some initial experience with a bullwhip and a lifelong horror of snakes. Indy also discovers that many treasures do not end up in museums, but rather in the hands of private treasure hunters when the Cross of Coronado is taken from some Indian ruins. (INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE - M;B;CB)

1913

Indy meets an Anasazi man who claims to be Billy the Kid. With his help, Indy helps stop a pair of bank robbers. (Young Indiana Jones and the Lost Gold of Durango - YAB)

Spring:

Henry Jones Sr. is in Georgetown lecturing at the university on medieval literature. Indy, however, travels to the Carolinas where he follows the trail of a Civil War slave in the Underground Railroad. (Young Indiana Jones and the Plantation Treasure - YAB)

Summer:

In one of his first meetings with Marcus Brody, Indy helps him in his hunt for archaeological artifacts in Egypt. Together, they discover a valuable ring that may be from the not-yet-officially-discovered tomb of King Tutankhamen. They also cross swords with German spies and narrowly escape the last major outbreak of the bubonic plague. (Young Indiana Jones and the Tomb of Terror - YAB)

The summer ends with a brief jaunt to Russia and a meeting with the hereditary Georgian princess, Tamar. Afterwards he rejoins his father in Armenia (his father is on a side trip studying the Crusades). (Young Indiana Jones and the Princess of Peril - YAB)

October:

Indy finds himself in a boarding school in England while his father lectures at Cambridge University. This does nothing to slow down Indy's adventures, however. Between a corrupt mine owner, a ring that may have belonged to the court of King Arthur and the mystique of Samhaim (All Hallow's Eve), Indy has little trouble filling in the time between classes. (Young Indiana Jones and the Ghostly Riders - YAB)

December:

Indy and a boarding school pal, Herman Mueller, aid Herman's father on a research trip to Stonehenge. They soon discover that someone is trying to sabotage the dig as they are confronted by a magic-wielding German spy. Indy and Herman barely escape injury with some questionable help from the ancient stones themselves and the power of the rising sun focused through the saboteur's magic crown. (Young Indiana Jones and the Circle of Death - YAB)

1914

January:

Henry Jones, Sr. allows Indy to travel to London for one last vacation before returning to school. While there, Indy discovers (through a bit of misfortune) that an ancient Greek bowl is a forgery. Indy and his father then travel to Greece in search of the stolen artifact. (Young Indiana Jones and the Journey to the Underworld - YAB)

Spring:

Indy discovers the power of an Italian curse placed upon a cross made from the sword hilt of a Norman warrior. he helps an old friend (Lizzie Ravenall, who was involved in his Underground Railroad adventure) locate the cross while on break in New York City. (Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Ruby Cross - YAB)

May:

Indy's school in Utah burns down, ending the year early. Making sure that Indy doesn't lose out in his studies, his father sends him off with a graduate assistant to southern France. The goal of their trip is to find a letter from King Louis IX, sent before the king's second crusade. Instead they find a jewel-encrusted crown swiped from Louis by gypsies. (Young Indiana Jones and the Gypsy Revenge - YAB)

June:

Immediately after his escapade in France, Indy is dragged to Constantinople as his father pursues the Holy Grail. Luckily, also joining him is Herman Mueller and together they investigate the trail of a knife believed to be linked to the legend of Cain and Abel. Their adventure is cut somewhat short when Indy's father hears of the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (which eventually leads to the start of World War I) and leaves Turkey. (Young Indiana Jones and the Secret City - YAB)

October:

Far from the problems in Europe, the Joneses travel to China in search of more Grail clues. However, in Honolulu, one of their stopovers on the way, the war catches up. Indy's adventure in Honolulu pits him against a very active volcano and a German agent intent on killing a British professor. (Young Indiana Jones and the Mountain of Fire - YAB)

Once they finally leave Honolulu, they still encounter troubles as their steamer is intercepted by a Japanese naval vessel. Indy discovers soon after that someone has smuggled a golden Chinese dragon statuette in his luggage, which he hides from the Japanese inspectors. Once they reach the mainland, the statuette becomes the object of a desperate hunt by Chinese, Japanese and German factions. (Young Indiana Jones and the Face of the Dragon - YAB)

December:

Indy and his father travel to India where he meets and befriends Prince Kasim. The royal guard tell Indy and Kasim not to touch the ancient tiger's-eye amulet, but Kasim refuses to listen and begins wearing it around his neck. When a tiger is seen stalking the area, Indy notices that Kasim has mysteriously disappeared. He begins to wonder if his friend could have changed into the dreaded legendary beast - the weretiger. Indy sets out to find the answer and save his friend from the curse of the amulet. (Young Indiana Jones and the Eye of the Tiger - YAB)


Reference Notations

M Movie
TV TV episode
TVM TV movie
B Book
YAB Young Adult Book
FYFB "Find Your Fate" Young Adult Book
DHCB Dark Horse Comic Book
MCB Marvel Comic Book
EB European Book

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