Unclaimed Legacy by Deborah Heal

Author:Deborah Heal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 19th century, series books, christian science fiction, time travel books, new adult fantasy, christian historical fiction books
Publisher: Deborah Heal

The Honorable Walter Lee Knight, Judge of the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court, has ordered that the prisoner Reuben Buchanan of Shake Rag Corner, found guilty of murder and arson, be brought before him to be sentenced tomorrow. Regular readers of the Alton Telegraph will recall that Deputy Sheriff George Benton arrested Buchanan, it being alleged Buchanan, on the 14th of October, 1871, set fire to the house of his employer Mr. Bertram White, destroying it and killing Mrs. White.

Beulah and Eulah put their hands to their faces in identical expressions of distress, crying out in unison, “Oh, no.”

Abby put a comforting hand on each sister. When Eulah said, “Go on, we’ll be all right,” she began to read again:

Evidence of his guilt accumulated during the course of the two-day trial. Mr. Joseph Nichols, proprietor of Happy’s Market, testified that Buchanan purchased two gallons of kerosene from him for the alleged purpose of burning hedgerows. The grief-stricken widower testified, giving as motive Buchanan’s jealousy of White’s larger acreage and superior dwelling. Mr. White did testify that Buchanan probably believed Mrs. White to be absent from the house at the time he set fire to it. Buchanan admitted setting fire to the hedgerows near Mr. White’s property under his direction, but claimed that he did not cause the destruction of the house.

Neighbors testified to ill will between Buchanan and Mr. White, although none offered the reason for their animosity. Buchanan was also charged with assaulting Mr. White earlier on the day of the arson, causing substantial contusions, abrasions, and a broken nose. The defendant refused to say why he had attacked Mr. White.

It is the hope of this reporter that a better, more honest class of citizens will, in the future, inhabit Shake Rag Corner and other villages in Alton’s outskirts.

“Everyone has rotten apples in their closets.” Beulah wiped her eyes with her hanky. “But I never thought I’d find any murderers in ours.”

“You’re mixing your metaphors, dear.” Eulah patted her sister’s arm and then sighed. Holding onto the table for support, she rose shakily to her feet and went to stare out the back storm door.

“What’s that other paper that you have there?” Beulah said. “Does it say what his sentence was?”

“No. We’ll have to go back and search again.” Abby avoided looking at Beulah. She gathered up the papers and began to put them back into her bag.

Beulah put her hand on Abby’s. “What is it, dear? Don’t beat around the bush.”

“There’s a bit more in it. But it’s not good.” John took the paper from Abby’s hand and paused.

Eulah turned from contemplating her back yard and made her way back to the table. Sitting down next to her sister, she said, “Go ahead. Read it to us.”

“It’s a letter to the editor of the Alton Telegraph,” he said. “You won’t like it.” John read:

Our esteemed Representative Andrew King is to be commended for his recent proposal to amend our nation’s Constitution and for his insistence that our laws be enforced, yes that the laws prohibiting marriage between races be obeyed.

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