October 8, 2024
The Lady In White is a fiction book, but there was a lot of research that went into this ghostly story. The research started from the very first chapter, before our characters even made it to Marceline, Missouri.
This story began in Kansas City, Missouri. I wanted to add as much real life events that actually happened in Kansas City in the 1800s. One big event during this time period was the construction of the Hannibal Bridge. Construction started in 1867, shortly after the end of the civil war. The bridge was completed in 1869.
Another headline from Kansas City in that time period was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. In the July 29, 1877 Kansas City newspaper, The Daily Journal of Commerce, the article read:
Whereas, Certain riotous demonstrations have recently taken place in our streets, interrupting the work of citizens engaged in lawful avocations; and whereas, it is alleged that railroad property has been violently taken and detained from rightful ownership and use, thus greatly damaging the general business interests of our city.
Now, therefore, I, J.W.L. Slavens, mayor of the city of Kansas, do hereby warn and enjoin all persons from violently or improperly molesting or interfering with the business or property of others, and from threatening or deterring laborers from their work who have employment at wages satisfactory to themselves.
I also urge all good citizens to avoid gathering in turbulent crowds upon the streets, or in any wise encouraging the same; and direct the proper officers of the city to disperse all unlawful, riotous or disorderly assemblages wherever found gathering, and promptly arrest the leaders of the same.
Congratulating you upon the promptness and unanimity with which you have organized for defense, upon our immunity from the scenes of destruction and bloodshed which have been precipitated on other cities of our country, and upon the quit and order which now prevails in our minds, I would yet invoke the continued aid and vigilance of all good and law abiding citizens in promptly putting down in its incipiency whatever of lawlessness or disorder may appear amongst us.
Another big headline that was used in the book was from The Brookhaven Ledger Newspaper. The newspaper ran this story about the Kansas City Disaster on November 8th, 1879:
A terrible disaster occurred at the corner of Second and Main Streets yesterday. Four brick three-story buildings occupied by Carle and Sons, extensive cracker and candy manufacturers, tumbled down and were completely consumed by fire. At the time the accident it contained one hundred and seven persons, mostly boys and girls, aged from twelve to twenty years, who were at work in the factory, all of whom escaped alive except seven. The cause of the accident is supposed to be a starch explosion. The buildings and contents are a total loss. Up to 10 a.m., three bodies has been found.
The Northern Pacific Farmer Newspaper included this information:
As soon as news of the accident had spread about the city the parents and friends of those employed there flocked to the scene to learn the fate of their loved ones, with anguish depicted on their countenances until they found those for whom they sought. As soon as the firemen subdued the flames they set to work digging for the dead.
The Great Flood of 1881 was also included in the storyline. The flood occurred along the Missouri River during the spring of 1881. Unusually heavy snowfall began to thaw during the last week in March, which poured water into the Missouri River. The flood began around Pierre, South Dakota and struck areas down river in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas City, Missouri and farther south between April 1, 1881 and April 27, 1881. This flood was the first detailed report of Missouri River flooding, and caused millions of dollars in damage.
I had my the characters in the book take a trip to The Coates Opera House. The opera house was a prominent performing arts venue and cultural landmark in Kansas City, Missouri. It was built in 1870 by Kersey Coates, a local hotelier. The building featured a mansard front roof treatment in the French Second Empire Style. The opera house was the first legitimate theater in Kansas City and the second largest building using the French Second Empire style design in Kansas City. It was located on the northwest corner of 10th and Broadway. It was destroyed by a fire in 1901. The fire started in the draperies on the stage and spread to the theater in front in an almost incredibly short space of time. The building burned to the ground shortly after the performance of Heart and Sword. Fortunately, no one was harmed in the disaster as the remaining actors in the building broke through windows to escape.
That was a big portion of real life events that I added to the beginning of The Lady In White Book. Once my characters made it to Marceline, Missouri. The research continued.
The tent village information came from the Marceline, Missouri Souvenir book. The information read: One day, in 1886, the farmers awoke to meet the faces of strange men, men who talked business incessantly and who wanted to buy options on their land. They offered good prices, put up forfeits, got signed contracts, and before the end of the year the civil engineer with his force of rodmen, chain-bearers and transitmen was on the ground running the preliminary surveys for the Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railway.
I found a great description about the Marceline area in the late 1800s from the History and Biography of Linn County, Missouri. It was written: Scattering cottonwood and locust trees cast their shade here and there, principally around the spots where the farmers had located their dwellings, and it is a tradition among the farmers that this high and slightly prairie ridge has been for years, and still is, the playground of the lightning, for scarcely a tree stood on the site of Marceline but showed the marks of the thunderbolts. As if to verify the tradition, discussed around the hearthstones of the early settlers, that some peculiar attraction at the spot where Marceline stands invites the fatal lightning stroke, many damaging conflagrations have resulted in the town from that cause and some loss of life from the deadly bolts has been noted in and near the town.
From the 1963 Jubilee Book, the physical layout of Marceline was built because of the Jesse Watkins trail. The trail ran from Yellow Creek east of Rothville to Wyandotte, and came right down the Main street. Therefore, in 1888 when the town was founded, Kansas Avenue was laid out on the “already beaten path” of the trail.
I also learned that the first town lot in Marceline was sold on January 28, 1888. The information came from the Marceline, Missouri Souvenir book.
I found inspiration from “A Tale of One City” written by Mrs. Audrey Walsworth in 1963. It was written: Walking down Main street in 1888 were Westerners in white sombreros with leather bands, Eastern college men dressed in derbys and the latest fashion. All were seeking to make their fortunes, all worked side by side to build the city.
The “History of Linn County” told how Marceline grew quickly in its early years, and with the hard workers came the rowdies who seemed to pop up in every boom town. Card sharks, gamblers, pick-pockets, and the whole regular group of rough characters could be found in Marceline as well.
In the Chariton Courier newspaper on October 4, 1895 they reported on the Williams Park Fair at Marceline that was to be held October 15th to 18th. The article read:
Prof. Powell, king of the air will appear daily in a balloon ascension and parachute leap.
“Edith”, the most daring lady balloonist in America, assisted by Prof. Leburno, in a wonderful feats on the double trapeze while suspended from the balloon high in the clouds.
Messers. Conkright and Robbins, the great hippodrome riders, in a 4-horse standing race.
Prof. Leburno in high rope performances, contortion work, flying trapeze, etc.
Miss Ella Ewing, the Missouri giantess, the largest woman on earth.
The Ferris wheel.
All of the above and many other attractions besides the races and exhibits may be daily witnessed and are worth twice the price of admission.
Do not fail to see them, the last and best open air attractions of the season.
Do not let anything keep you from bringing your family, stock or products to the Marceline park fair, Oct. 15th to 18th.
Reduced rates on railroads for yourselves, stock and exhibits to Marceline park fair, Oct. 15th to 18th.
You will miss a rare treat if you do not see the races, displayed and special attractions at the Marceline fair, Oct. 15h to 18th.
There was a business in Marceline called “Hole in the Wall Cafe”. The business was included in the Marceline Souvenir book. They described it as follows:
There are numerous lunch rooms and eating houses in this city, but none deserving more credit for conducting a high class place than Mr. James Botts, proprietor of the Hole in the Wall on Kansas avenue. This cafe is attractively arranged, handsomely furnished and has a seating capacity for fifty. The restaurant was only established two months ago, under the present management, and has rapidly gained a large and select following owing to the metropolitan manner in which it has been conducted, high grade cooking served, quick service and popular prices afforded. The business is such that they are justified in keeping open to the public night and day and six well trained and courteous employees are required.
I can not forget to leave out what I feel is the most important real life information I added to this story. I found newspaper articles, and obituaries, about all the railroaders that were included in the original Legend of the Lady in White. Every article is included inside the Lady In White book. In my story I weaved the legend and real newspapers articles together. It still gives me goosebumps on how eerily similar real life and the legend is.
As you can see, there was many hours of research that went into the creation of The Lady In White book. I wanted the book to feel as real as possible, even though it is a non fiction book. I love to hear feedback on how you feel about the book, and I hope you will leave a book review on your favorite book review website!
Find a copy on Amazon.