Wilmarth and Akeley's Trust

The Colour Out of Space

This flow traces a scholarly correspondence that builds trust, breaks under the changed farmhouse situation, and ends in uncertainty about Akeley’s identity.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Respectful First Contact A Respectful First Contact from "The Colour Out of Space". Two Scholars Connect Akeley Writes Akeley approaches Wilmarth as a fellow student of folklore and offers evidence rather than merely demanding belief.

A Respectful First Contact from "The Colour Out of Space". Two Scholars Connect Akeley Writes Akeley approaches Wilmarth as a fellow student of folklore and offers evidence rather than merely demanding belief.

Two Scholars Connect Akeley Writes Akeley approaches Wilmarth as a fellow student of folklore and offers evidence rather than merely demanding belief. Earned Attention Wilmarth responds with cautious respect, valuing Akeley’s measured reasoning even while doubting his conclusions.

Intellectual Partnership Intellectual Partnership from "The Colour Out of Space". A Shared Investigation Evidence Exchanged The men compare folklore, photographs, and interpretations of the strange voices and tracks.

Intellectual Partnership from "The Colour Out of Space". A Shared Investigation Evidence Exchanged The men compare folklore, photographs, and interpretations of the strange voices and tracks.

A Shared Investigation Evidence Exchanged The men compare folklore, photographs, and interpretations of the strange voices and tracks. Trust Through Correspondence Their exchange gives Akeley a listener and makes Wilmarth increasingly invested in the hidden history of Vermont.

Anxiety Becomes Personal Anxiety Becomes Personal from "The Colour Out of Space". A Friendship Under Strain Appeals for Help Wilmarth urges Akeley to seek protection as reports of violence and missing dogs grow more alarming.

Anxiety Becomes Personal from "The Colour Out of Space". A Friendship Under Strain Appeals for Help Wilmarth urges Akeley to seek protection as reports of violence and missing dogs grow more alarming.

A Friendship Under Strain Appeals for Help Wilmarth urges Akeley to seek protection as reports of violence and missing dogs grow more alarming. Akeley Refuses Rescue Akeley resists intervention, fearing disbelief and clinging to his home even as his isolation becomes dangerous.

The Reassuring Letter The Reassuring Letter from "The Colour Out of Space". Trust Reopened A Sudden Peace Akeley claims to have reconciled with the beings and invites Wilmarth to discuss their knowledge in person.

The Reassuring Letter from "The Colour Out of Space". Trust Reopened A Sudden Peace Akeley claims to have reconciled with the beings and invites Wilmarth to discuss their knowledge in person.

Trust Reopened A Sudden Peace Akeley claims to have reconciled with the beings and invites Wilmarth to discuss their knowledge in person. Hope and Doubt Wilmarth is relieved by the apparent danger passing, but the abrupt change leaves an unspoken suspicion between them.

The Relationship Unravels The Relationship Unravels from "The Colour Out of Space". A Friend Becomes Unknowable Signs of Substitution Wilmarth finds evidence that the figure he trusted may not be the real Akeley.

The Relationship Unravels from "The Colour Out of Space". A Friend Becomes Unknowable Signs of Substitution Wilmarth finds evidence that the figure he trusted may not be the real Akeley.

A Friend Becomes Unknowable Signs of Substitution Wilmarth finds evidence that the figure he trusted may not be the real Akeley. No Farewell Akeley vanishes, leaving Wilmarth with the burden of deciding whether their correspondence reflected friendship, manipulation, or both.

May 1928

Late spring 1928

August to early September 1928

September 1928, before Wilmarth's journey

The night of the farmhouse visit