Category Archives: Southeast Texas Historic Fiction

Thoughts and Ramblings: Galveston, Galveston, Galveston!

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Talk about tired. I was truly Madeline Kahn tired last week because of the whole rain and power outage thing. To those wondering, our area experienced the solar eclipse late. On Thursday, May 2, at 8:30 a.m. it was pitch black with a tad of green. Then, the hail came. Many certain words were said to the sky that week. Around midnight, we got the power back and prepared for our journey to Galveston. I left home after another lightning storm on Friday afternoon, but to be honest, I had a great weekend. No worries at all, and luckily, all the people I volunteered with on Sunday (most were from Liberty County) were good and made it home safely without the flooding affecting their homes.

As I said last week, it was a joy to see Kathleen Maca before one of her cemetery tours on Friday evening. Also, I’ve never seen the flowers in the Broadway cemeteries so gorgeous. You should add this to your bucket list—yes, both the cemetery tour and seeing the wildflowers at City Cemetery on Broadway Avenue in May!

On Saturday morning, some of us took a walk on the seawall. Afterward, we were supposed to meet at Denny’s for breakfast before taking the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. I left my Airbnb and proceeded to walk a block and a half to Denny’s. When I arrived, there was no Denny’s; instead, there was an empty lot that looked like a demolition site. I guess I need to listen to the news—unfortunately, Denny’s burned down in October last year. So off we went to IHOP near the San Luis Resort.

We took the whole tour on Saturday. There were 11 stops, and we had done 10 by four o’clock. So, after eating our leftovers from IHOP (the omelets are huge) as lunch/dinner, we headed to our final destination, which was the 1883 William L. Moody Building at 2206 Strand. I nearly skipped this part of the tour, not because it wasn’t worth it, but because of Galveston’s parking. Last year, you could park for free on weekends and after six in the Strand district, but they’ve changed this. They’ve doubled the price from $10 to $20 in the parking lots on weekends. I did find a parking lot that claimed you could park all day for $4. The tech wasn’t up to date, but the parking was glorious! Basically, you shove $4 folded in a slot with your parking-space number. Could it be sketchy? Maybe, but I parked, shoved a fiver in the slot, and proceeded to tour the 1883 William L. Moody Building. The parking lot is located at 1916 Postoffice Street, if you dare. I think you’ll be all right.

After visiting the Moody Building, we set off to photograph the USS Texas. The ship is out of the dry dock and currently doing fine in the water at Gulf Copper Ship Yard. It will be there until they build a permanent home for it near Pier 21. This information is both official and nonofficial because the authorities have not yet stated that Galveston will be the ship’s new home. They’ve just put out a drawing of how great its new home will look, and they have said that it will be built near Pier 21. Another advantage of the place where I parked was picking up my pizza from Mama Theresa’s Flying Pizza, which is located just a few blocks from Pier 21. I got everything I wanted for that fiver and more!

When we left the Strand, a few of us wanted to experience the San Luis Resort. I’ve never been. It is a beautiful resort, and it has security. So, seeing the inside might have been a problem. Our plan was to head to the lobby and, if stopped, say that we were there to meet our friends Ruth and Florence Chambers, who were probably running late. (Shout out to the Heritage Society!)

For a second time that day, we parked at IHOP. We did see the lobby. A wedding was going on outside to the right of us, and all the prom photoshoots were happening to the left. Unfortunately, the concrete gun emplacements of the Hoskins battery were off limits to tourists. Oh well, I’m sure the Chambers sisters would not have cared about looking at gun emplacements, but Ruth may not have liked us using their names as references—I digress!

Volunteer Sunday was cloudy and cooler, but at least it didn’t rain as much as it did north of Interstate 10. As I said, all the other volunteers made it home to dry houses in Liberty County. I always enjoy my stint with these folks and the Candy Lady, and I will continue to help as long as she and our group are there.

Since today’s blog is an all-Galveston blog, I want to give a shout-out to blog reader Don Dickerson, who, on Facebook, recommended the podcast Galveston Unscripted. I will provide a link to the podcast’s rebroadcast about the Great Storm of 1900. This is probably the best roundup of what happened before and after the hurricane that you can listen to in under 23 minutes. If you have more time, then read the book Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson. When I first read it, I was not a fan of the meteorologist Isaac Cline, nor am I today. He probably would have fit in at the Weather Channel today, but this book triggered me so much that I added some of his philosophies to my 2013 book Blood of the Innocent. In the book, my character is meeting someone at the Menard House to purchase land in 1875. I’ll let Lady Annabel Falsworth explain my thoughts.

Mr. Stiles, a friend of the Menard family, was just beginning his journey into the world of land brokering and was grateful to have full use of the magnificent house. He felt the environment provided him with the credibility to do business. It was a jewel compared to his modest “two-roomed shack,” as he called it.

“So, Lady Falsworth, Miss Sterling, I do hope you are enjoying our young up-and-coming city by the sea,” Mr. Stiles said in an attempt to draw attention to the island’s attributes.

“Yes, it is a quaint little place, but I don’t know if I would be comfortable living by the sea,” Annabelle responded.

“What do you mean? Living near the water is the best part!” Mr. Stiles feigned astonishment. “There is always a breeze, and a dip into the ocean is most gratifying on a hot summer’s day.”

Annabelle looked at him in a bemused manner. “True, it is definitely wonderful, but I do feel that this area is plagued with storms, is it not?”

“Hmmm. . . We have our fair share of storms of a tropical nature but nothing to worry about. Those that do the most damage tend not to come this far west.”

Annabelle looked at him in disbelief. “Oh? Well, that is good to know. Unfortunately, your brethren in Indianola cannot say the same, can they?”

“Pardon? Oh yes.” Mr. Stiles remembered almost a month to the day that a strong hurricane had blown into Matagorda Bay, Texas, destroying almost the entire port town of Indianola. “Yes, what a terrible and tragic situation,” Mr. Stiles recalled, “but here in Galveston things like that just don’t happen. I believe God shines down on our glorious little city and protects it.”

Annabelle’s smile grew wider on hearing his words. She looked into his eyes mischievously, “Well, if I may give you some advice regarding the future of your glorious little city. Heed this warning and remember those who perished in Indianola, because it may be you who finds yourself in the eye of destruction with no warning or means of escape.” Annabelle paused for a moment and, noticing Mr. Stiles’ blank stare, continued, “Well, enough of that. I believe we shall continue with other business at hand.” She smiled graciously.

Until next week!

https://www.galvestonunscripted.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac%27s_Storm

Thoughts and Ramblings: Trick or Treat; Samhain and Día de Los Muertos; Coco; the Sleeping Knights; Blood of the Innocent; Author Tim Collins; and It’s Time for You People to Click on a Link.

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Trick or treat is tomorrow, and I’ve already shared my oral history of that damn kid on 19th street in Port Arthur. Back then, someone was putting razors, poison, and probably bits of glass in Halloween candy. My father warned me about this, and he was there to eat all the suspected candy so I wouldn’t die. Thanks, dad, but you’re eating all the good stuff. I still think that I was robbed.

For me, Halloween always means, Samhain, the Celtic holiday to remember our ancestors and those who have passed. El Día de Los Muertos also has these qualities. Both symbolize the love for those who came before us and our determination to keep their names alive. Because, in the end, that’s what most humans want—to be remembered. As humans, we try our damnedest to keep the names of our loved ones out there. This is why the pyramids were built. It’s also why a loved one will put out a few articles on the deceased’s grave when the family can’t afford a headstone; they honor them by placing things that their loved one enjoyed in life. Most will see them as garbage, but it’s love.

The Disney movie Coco did an excellent job of showing this. I will always treasure that film because it hits you in the heart, or at least it hits mine, because most people tell me I have no soul, so at least I’m good in the heart department. Except my doctor tells me otherwise. It reminds me of my mother-in-law. I know mothers-in-law get a bad rap from some people, but in my case, she was a rock determined to live her own way. This is why I dedicated my first book to her. Would she be happy with its contents? Probably not; the gesture, maybe.

Yuuki Konno

Another story about wanting to be remembered comes from fiction, but it fits perfectly with who we are as humans. Japanese writer Reki Kawahara, who wrote in season two of the Anime Series Sword Art Online, put out the story of the Sleeping Knights. To round up the story in a few sentences, Sword Art Online was an online network where people could compete based on their swordsmanship. It was an online game you could be a visual part of, but the Sleeping Knights were different. In the story, they were hard-wired into the game 24-7 because they were kids in hospice. In other words, they had no future in life, so the game helped them to forget their inevitable demise. One of the characters was named Yuuki Konno, and she beat the best players. As a player who was permanently wired in, she learned her skill well and defeated everyone in her path. Her role in the game was to win a tournament and get to the upper levels so that all the Sleeping Knights would have their names engraved on a wall. As the story unfolded, the Sleeping Knights were helped by another character, and they eventually won, but Yuuki’s health worsened. She eventually died, but not before she managed to get everyone on her team to be remembered. Yuuki never wanted those in the game to find out the truth about her illness, but the main characters discovered it and made sure that all the non-Sleeping Knights were there to show her that they cared for her deeply. Yuuki had lost hope in humanity, but a few individuals were there to show her that her life had meaning and she was loved.

Blood of the Innocent

In 2013, I published a book called Blood of the Innocent. There is a sequel, but I just don’t have time to finish it. In the story, I brought all the characters over here from England because I know our history and area. I could have easily left them in their element, but I didn’t want to write about something I don’t know. The book is available on Amazon, and you can read it for free if you are a Prime member. I have a few signed copies available on my website, and there are a few signed copies at the Art Studio (all the money goes to supporting TASI).

Tim Collins 2013 at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Sabine Pass

As I’ve mentioned before, we’ve lost, or at least I have, many friends and colleagues this year. I found out today that Tim Collins—author/librarian/historian/all-out great guy who loved SETX history and his rich Irish heritage—died in April. He was from Galway in Ireland and pretty much did all the research on Richard Dowling of the Battle of Galveston and Sabina Pass fame, who was also from Galway. I met Tim in 2013 at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Sabine Pass, and he was a joy to be around. I’m also lucky to have his signed book about Dick Dowling. Tim was special to all who knew him. I got so fed up with most people on Facebook that I never checked it, so I missed the word of his passing. I’m sorry for missing it, but to be honest, I’m only on Facebook because some of you people are too lazy to click on a website link, but I digress.

Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Collins. If I stay alive, I will try to bring out Kate Dorman’s history, as you wanted.

Go dtí an chead uair eile.

Coco Remember Me-  

Yuuki Konno-

Blood of the Innocent-

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Innocent-P-C-Prosperie/dp/0988884208

https://www.rediscoveringsetx.com/blood-of-the-innocent/

Tim Collins-

https://afloat.ie/port-news/galway-harbour/item/54028-tributes-to-late-maritime-author-historian-sailor-librarian-musician-tim-collins-of-galway?fbclid=IwAR1GJ-F0EubbkaSJ9nqtzQWffLlIAW7zE6xIP77AyCC2-ZdeBjmH8aGfQZs

Blood of the Innocent

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Blood of the Innocent coverA little SETX fiction on this Halloween 🙂

Katy ran swiftly through the brush near the river. Her heart pounding with fear hearing the barking of the bloodhounds as they drew closer. She surely felt her world coming to an end. Katy could probably outrun the two men on horseback but not the dogs. She might wade into the river but her demise would be evenly shared perhaps among the alligators and the snakes.

Katy ran faster and faster through the darkness finally reaching a patch of oak trees near a shallow inlet. She ran through the water splashing her way to the other side. Just then, only seconds behind her, the dogs appeared through the brush barking fanatically. All three dogs had her in their sights but stopped at the edge of the water. Katy, now on the other side, raced through more oak and cypress trees. There, now seemed to be a path that she could maneuver better.

The two men on horseback caught up with the dogs near the inlet. They noticed the dogs barking at the edge of the water. One of the men trotted up to the water’s edge to see why the dogs did not follow the girl. As he lowered his torch to the water a sudden splash and a hissing sound came from the bank. This spooked the horse and made it buck. The man fell backwards off the horse into the mud. Meanwhile the dogs, still barking fanatically, began snapping at something in the water. The man hurriedly grabbed the torch from the ground to see what spooked the horse.

“It’s a twelve footer!” the other man on the horse yelled. “Hell there’s another one over there.”

The man on the ground jumped up and staggered nervously away from the water’s edge. The dogs seemed to keep the twelve foot gator in the water, but he didn’t want to push his luck.

“Shoot the damn thing Ben!” the man said still backing up.

“Ain’t no point in it. It’ll jest pick out the bullet and spit it back at ya.” Ben said with a grin.

“Well do something dang it,” the man said now grabbing the reins of his horse.

Ben pulled out his revolver and fired two shots in the air while shouting for the dogs to get back. He figured it would be better to cross at another point then to lose three good hunting dogs.

“Mount up Wes. We’ll cross a ways down from here. Dang girl must be in league with the devil to get through them.” He said, “Don’t matter though. She’s headin’ south. I reckon them Creol’s gonna enjoy that little lassie if you know what I mean. Hell, if she makes it that far?”

Wes mounted his horse. Raising his torch he noticed the inlet was full of alligators. He counted around seven sets of eyes peering at him from the water. Being from east Texas, he never dealt with these nasty creatures before. Maybe the odd bear, or hog but not these foul monsters, surely spawned from the devil himself.

Katy, still running as fast as she could, noticed the barking dogs sounding farther and farther away from her. Then she heard the two shots in the distance. For some reason, unaware to her, she had been given a chance to escape. She knew this was a gift and she had better make good with it.

Her heart pounded and exhaustion began to set in. Katy stumbled and fell to the ground. Clamoring to get up her legs began to cramp, but she knew she couldn’t stay there or they would eventually catch up with her. Finally getting to her feet she began to limp toward a thicker patch of trees. Katy’s eyes peered through the darkness in search of where she could hide from the dogs, but there was nowhere that she would be safe. Exhaustion or not she had to move on to stay alive.

At that moment she heard a ruffling on the other side of the trees near another inlet. It sounded like as if someone was near. Told by the locals that there were possibly Indians in the area, and knowing those men chasing her, she crept silently to find out who or what was making the noise.

Katy, hidden with the trees and brush, could make out the silhouette of a person on a flat bottom boat. With the moon now peeking through the clouds she could tell it was a woman although her face was hidden mostly behind a hood.  Katy knew this was her last hope. She raced out of the brush and fell to the ground near the water’s edge.

Coming 2013

Out now! http://amzn.com/B00CA9IOIE