by C.P. Murphy
Chapter Thirty-Four
A little over a week after the trial ended, Patrick stood and talked to Henry in his store. They had formed a bond and were both surprised how courteous they were towards each other. They were allies but still had differences. Henry couldn’t emotionally continue investigating Amelia’s death and had accepted what the judge had said at the end of the trial. Patrick, though, had a promise to keep and was determined to stick to his word. Thomas Van Martin was freed but Patrick knew he wasn’t innocent.
It didn’t take long for Thomas to strut around the village to show everyone he wasn’t to be messed with. The other villagers might have feared him but Patrick knew that he could still break the younger twerp in two if given the chance. He had to give credit to Thomas for staying clear of himself and of the Samuels family. Returning his thoughts to the conversation he was having with Henry, Patrick stated, “We can’t just let him get away with it.”
Henry frowned; he knew there was no point in proving that Thomas was the culprit since none of the authorities would hear of it. “We have to go on, Buchanan.” He looked around and when Patrick didn’t respond to him, Henry added, “You know that she’ll forgive you of a broken promise.”
A loud bang rang through the room as Patrick slammed his fist onto the counter. He couldn’t rest knowing he hadn’t come through with his word. He was running out of support in his decision to keep searching. The Samuels family wanted to heal their wounds and face life again, and the constable would do nothing else until there was evidence. It was grim because everyone knew that any evidence left by the monster was long gone, even before her body was found. “And what about Anna,” he remarked. “I promised her too. She wants to know who took her sister away from her.”
“Damn it,” Henry snapped. “We all do. We all want answers and I believe we have those answers,” he went on. “Everything Jacob had testified was true, all the bruises and cuts on her body matched what he said Thomas did to her. I know that he’s responsible but there is nothing I can do about it.” He was silent as Patrick stood by the window and looked out to the streets. It seemed like a long time before Patrick replied to him.
“Then why should he be allowed to continue to walk these streets?” Patrick turned but kept his eyes out the clearing on the wall. “Should we allow him to do it again?”
Henry was just about to answer Patrick but was alarmed by screaming out on the street. He ran to the door and stepped out to see what was going on as Patrick followed him. George Cooper was riding his covered wagon and Henry knew right away that something was wrong. The screams weren’t his though; they were coming from inside the wagon. Emma, he realized. The wagon paused in front of the apothecary store as Henry and his companion rushed out to see what was happening. “What is going on?”
George turned his head towards the back of the wagon and tried to comfort his daughter. Her mother was also back there but nothing helped the young girl. George turned towards the men and almost cried himself when he said, “They found Jacob Miller guilty of perjury.”
“Oh my God,” Patrick stated. He imagined Amelia crying for him if roles were different and wondered if Emma had felt the same way that Amelia once did.
Henry didn’t ask permission to put one foot on the wagon and push himself up so he could see Emma inside. “Will you come out here, Emma, and talk to me?”
“No,” George answered. As far as he was concerned he never wanted his daughter to step foot on Millersport ground again. Henry looked confused and George continued to explain. “They took Jacob straight to the state prison and without him here to protect Emma, I don’t want her here. I’m moving the family far away from the Van Martins.”
Patrick walked around to the back of the wagon and poked his head through the canvas. He saw Mrs. Cooper trying to comfort her daughter and noticed how Emma was just about rolled up in a ball. She saw him and turned her tear-streaked face towards him. “I can help protect her, Mr. Cooper,” Patrick insisted. He couldn’t get over how scared the girl looked. His offer would be denied as George said it was best for them to start a new life. “Where will you go?”
“We want to help,” Henry added and thought Patrick was being brave to offer such responsibilities. He glanced back in the wagon and could see Emma reach her hand out to Patrick and could see for the first time why his daughter fell in love with him. Henry would’ve been proud to call him a son-in-law but Thomas took that away before it even became an option. George just looked ahead and shook his head. Henry could tell that he had no plans, only to leave town to protect his family. “George, I know this might sound like a long shot but my cousin moved out west. He said that Indiana was beautiful. I can get in touch with him; ask him to help you out if you would like?” He looked at Emma again and knowing she was leaving town was like learning that his daughter had died all over again. Until Amelia’s death, the two girls were never apart and Emma was like a daughter to him. He’d miss her and wanted to make sure she would be well cared for.
George thought about Henry’s offer for a few minutes and agreed to head out towards Indiana. He didn’t know where they would go or what he would do for a living but knew that he had to take Emma away from Thomas Van Martin, who after all he had gone through still wanted to marry her. He motioned for Patrick to get away from the wagon and when he saw Emma let go of the man’s hand, he moved his carriage towards the road that left the village.
Standing together again, Patrick kicked the ground below him. As the dust flew up in the air, he looked to Henry and asked, “You still think we shouldn’t do anything about Thomas?”
“It’s a tragedy, I know, to see them leave this way but perhaps it’s for the best. Thomas will know that he can’t control everybody.”
Henry tried to be optimistic in the situation but the truth was he couldn’t take the law into his own hands. “Where are you going?” He asked as he noticed Patrick walking away.
“To cool off,” Patrick replied. He needed to go home and clear his mind of what he witnessed. If he thought too much about Thomas, or the pain he has caused for Emma and her family, or that an innocent man was now on his way to prison because of him, Patrick would go insane. He needed time; time to be alone before he could face the citizens of Millersport.
Turning the other direction, Henry headed back towards his store where he hoped he could escape from the curious people who would want to know what was going on. He watched Patrick walk up the street and hoped that he calmed down. Then Henry went inside to finish his normal business day.
By the next afternoon, everyone had heard the news about Jacob and the Cooper family. Once again, the village was stunned and somber. Many people had gathered at the general store to catch up on the latest information; including Thomas. He wasn’t afraid of what they would say to him nor did he care what they thought. He admitted to himself that it was weird not to have Jacob next to him but brushed the thought off his mind. Jacob back stabbed him because of jealousness over a girl and now had what was coming to him. It didn’t matter to Thomas that they were once best chums; it was just another button off of his shirt as far as Thomas was concerned.
Anna was inside the store when she noticed Thomas walk in as if he had just as much of a right as everyone else. She wanted to slap him but realized that he didn’t care how his actions affected others. She knew the best thing to do was to leave the store but yet was caught up in the action and didn’t want to miss a thing. He was bound to make a fool of himself and Anna thought she could use the humor.
“Jacob deserves all he’s going through,” Thomas arrogantly shouted to all who were snickering behind his back. They continued to call him names and insult him but it didn’t bother him. They were all just jealous of his money, he thought to himself.
“Mr. Van Martin,” the grocer said. “Perhaps you should leave.”
Thomas was angered by the grocer’s comment but wasn’t going anywhere. He talked to a group of people and when they turned their backs on him, he went to someone
else to talk. Everyone looked away from him and ignored him. He noticed Anna standing by herself watching every move he made. Thomas hadn’t bothered going near any of the Samuels since his fiancée died and even more since they tried to pin the murder on him but this time she looked too nice to ignore. He walked straight up to her and noticed how charming she looked and how sweet she smelled. “Well, well, Anna,” he spoke to the pretty girl. “It seems like you’ve grown up into a fine looking woman.”
Anna was disgusted with Thomas’ appearance and attitude. He had a lot of nerve to think he could befriend her. “Get away from me,” Anna remarked with a growl in her voice, “Now!”
“You’re still stubborn,” he said to her, ignoring that she wanted him to go away. Anna turned her head and that flared a fire inside of him. He was reminded of all the times her sister had turned from him. He was just about to touch her face to bring it back towards him when out of the blue he felt a strong hand on his shoulders.
“She said to get away from her,” Patrick yelled at Thomas. “Didn’t you hear her?”
When Thomas turned and saw who had the guts to talk to him in that manner, he realized that he was messing with the wrong girl. He didn’t know why but Patrick Buchanan was always there for the Samuels women and Thomas was getting sick of him trying to be a hero. “Mind your own funeral,” he barked back. The next thing he knew he was being removed from the store by his collar and everyone inside and out were laughing hysterically. Thomas wasn’t hurt but the surrounding laughter had angered him. He stood and straightened himself out and noticed that Buchanan’s back was turned away from him. He shouted so all could hear, “Don’t have the guts to face me, do you Buchanan?”
Anna had rushed outside when Patrick came to her rescue and stood by his side. She was glad he was there for her although she was convinced she would’ve taken care of herself if he weren’t. She worried about him because Thomas was getting in his face and Anna knew Patrick would not take any more from him. “Patrick, let’s leave. He isn’t worth it,” she tried to convince him. Patrick didn’t listen to her but instead turned back towards Thomas and hovered over him as they argued with each other. Anna became alarmed when she spied a barking iron sticking out of Patrick’s pants. She’d never known him to carry the weapon before and was concerned for his sake. She feared that he would do something stupid to revenge Amelia’s death. Again she begged him to leave the store with her but Patrick wasn’t listening.
Patrick took two steps and if he took anymore he would’ve stepped right on Thomas. He was contemplating squashing Van Martin like a bug caught under his boot but the thought passed him as he looked down. “I’ve had as much as I can stand from someone like you, Van Martin.”
“And who are you to speak to me in such a tone?” Thomas was foolish for letting Patrick get so close to him but he had no fear.
“No,” Patrick answered with his own line of questions. “Who are you to treat people the way you do?” As he breathed down the younger man’s throat, Patrick thought of Henry and how he tried to convince him that there was nothing they could do to Thomas. He wanted to control himself but he knew the man in front of him was responsible for the death of his love and that alone made him want to kill.
Anna was getting nervous about the situation. She knew that if Patrick were to shoot Thomas, his family would make sure that Patrick was executed. She didn’t want that for him but didn’t know what to do. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw her father and brother walking towards the store. They must’ve had heard Patrick’s and Thomas’ voices screaming at each other. She ran to them and told them about the gun. “Oh Father, he will do something stupid if nobody stops him.”
“You’re going to pay for killing Amelia,” Patrick continued screaming at Thomas. He was surprised that he hadn’t strangled the puny jerk yet. “You son-of-a-bitch.”
“Let me remind you I’ve been found not guilty by the court of law,” Thomas spit back. He wasn’t afraid of Patrick’s threats and dared to step on his toes even more. “You are more likely the reason she is dead.”
Henry and David raced up to the scene and interrupted the feuding men. David, as much as he would have liked to see Patrick rip Thomas’ face off, grabbed a hold of Thomas’ arms and pulled him away while Henry held Patrick back. “This isn’t the way to take care of things,” Henry reminded Patrick but could tell that he was already fueled by Thomas’ behavior. He continued to talk to his friend to stop him from doing anything he would regret later.
Anna had stood by their side also told Patrick to stop his nonsense. He appeared to be listening to them. They let their guards down when they saw the calmness return in Patrick’s face but soon after wished that they hadn’t.
David felt a strong urge to wring Thomas’ neck while he held him back. He thought that Patrick was correct in saying he should pay for his crimes yet David knew that going about it themselves wasn’t right. “Why do you look for trouble, Thomas,” David asked as he let go of him. Thomas dusted himself off as if he was preparing for another round and David warned him to stay away from Patrick. He didn’t listen; Thomas pushed him aside and moved back into action. This caused David to face the direction of his father and just as he did, he saw Patrick reach for the barking iron that Anna had told them about. In a flash he saw Patrick aim the weapon at Thomas and knew that he would get his revenge. In an instant he thought that his sister wouldn’t want Patrick to be hung or sent to prison for a crime such as this and the Van Martins would see to just that for sure. Without hesitation, for his beloved sister’s sake and not for Thomas’, David jumped in front of the flying bullet and took the hit and fell fast to the ground.
Screams sounded from all over the general store. Patrick lowered his gun as he realized that David had been hit instead of Thomas and ran to the injured man. He shook with nerves as he got closer and saw the blood escaping David’s body. “Oh my God,” he screamed out loud. Then he looked to Thomas who was still there but too stunned to move.
Henry and Anna had rushed over to David as well and all they could think of was helping the fallen man. They heard Patrick repeat over and over again that he didn’t mean to shoot David and they didn’t turn their backs on him. Instead, Henry glared up at Thomas and threatened, “You better get out of here or I’ll let him get you.” He returned to David who was bleeding from the wound that hit him in the chest. Then he spoke to Patrick, “Help me get him to my house,” and when Patrick didn’t appear to hear him, he shouted, “It was an accident, now help me.” Several men who were watching the confrontation came over to lend a hand. “Anna, go get my employee as fast as you can and tell him to bring my surgical supplies.”
Anna didn’t hesitate to run. She ran faster than she had ever run in her life as her eyes stung with tears. She was so afraid that something would happen and now knew that her fears were trying to tell her something. Anna continued running and didn’t stop until she had done what her father had told her to do.
Thomas took off and ran home. He knew from that moment on that he couldn’t take on Buchanan or the Samuels. Even after Patrick had shot David, Henry had glared at him with hatred and not the man who shot his son. He decided that he would talk to his father about getting away for a while until the dust cleared. For once he was afraid of someone. There was no way he would bring charges up against Patrick. He knew it was time to leave the citizens of Millersport but vowed that he would someday return and when he did, he would have his portion of revenge.
The family, including Patrick, waited in the sitting room as Henry and his employee worked frantic in a bedroom to remove the bullet. Nobody spoke or cried. Everyone was as quiet as could be so they could hear what was going on upstairs. Beth was beside herself and attempted to run up the stairs just to be held back by Phillip. “Let them help him,” he told her. “He’ll allow you to go up as soon as he thinks its best.”
Patrick shook as Anna rubbed his back to calm him. Every time he’d see Beth trying to get to her husban
d his heart broke more. The incident made him hate Thomas even more. The others had told him it wasn’t his fault and they would’ve done the same thing if given the chance. He knew they meant well but thought they wouldn’t have missed the target.
Up in the bedroom, Henry did all he could. The bullet sat on the night stand as he made his oldest son as comfortable as possible. David lost too much blood and Henry knew that he would lose him. He’d sent the employee down to wash up and to tell Beth that she could come see David. While he waited, he prayed for the strength to get through the death of another one of his children.
David laid in agony but he wanted to spend his last moments alive with his family and not sleeping. “Father,” he whispered. “Be strong this time.”
Henry knew what his son was talking about. He decided not to let the pain engulf him again. Just as he was about to assure David, the door burst opened. Beth rushed in and went straight to her husband’s side and the rest of the family followed. He’d given permission for her to come to the room but should’ve known that the rest would too. He stood and allowed room for her to sit next to David.
Beth cried at the sight of her husband. He smiled up at her which made her feel worse. Her hand became wet with perspiration as she wiped his hair out of his eyes. “You’re going to be all right,” she informed him and prayed that she was correct.
“Shh,” he spoke to her as he held her hand. David looked around the melancholy faces and couldn’t understand why they were somber. He was off to see Amelia and his mother again, and David couldn’t have been happier. In the back of the room he noticed Ruth and Minnie, each holding onto one of his children. He knew Beth would survive and knew that the children would as well but wondered if they’d remember him when they were older. He never thought they would be fatherless as they grew up and the thought made him sad. Everyone spoke to him at the same time, but their words were becoming hard to hear. Their lips moved, but no sounds were coming out. “Where’s Patrick?”
“He went out to the porch,” Anna had said but David couldn’t make out what she was saying.
“Please don’t hold this against him,” he breathed. “It was an accident. He was just revenging Amelia’s death.” His eyes became heavier than he’d ever known them to be and David couldn’t hang on any longer. His hand slipped off of Beth’s as David passed away.
The family had their moment to say goodbye and then gathered back downstairs. Patrick sat on the top step of the porch when he heard them emerging down the stairs. He needed no one to tell him he’d just killed a man. An uncontrolled sickness came about his stomach as he leaned over and threw up in the bushes. A hand touched his shoulder to help him up. He’d expected it to be Anna, who had been helping him through hard times since his return from the war, but was surprised to see Henry stand before him.
“This isn’t your fault,” Henry said to Patrick as he looked at him through blurry eyes. “I would’ve liked to shoot that bastard myself. Come inside, I need to have a talk with my family and you must realize by now, that includes you.” He reached down and grabbed Patrick’s arm to help him stand and the two of them leaned against each other as they entered the house.
The first thing Patrick noticed was Beth cradling her two young children. Right away he knelt beside her and apologized. She cried on his shoulder as he held her tight. As he wiped her eyes, Henry spoke.
“We can’t continue to lose the ones we love because we’re trying to find out what happened to Amelia.” He paused as he recalled all the events that took place since the day he gave her hand to the Van Martins. “It’s in God’s hands now to punish her killer. We tried but its backfiring on us. It’s time to let go of Amelia’s murder,” he looked to Patrick to assure that he was talking to him. “We have to.”
The rest hung their heads at the reminder of what they’ve lost. Patrick looked up to Henry and nodded then to Anna to see her weak smile at him. Later when the group had broken up, he apologized to her for not keeping his promise. Anna understood; she wasn’t the child she was the day Patrick Buchanan moved to Millersport. She was a woman now; one who understood him and cared for him like no one has ever before- except for her sister, Amelia Samuels.
Epilogue
August 25, 1813, retold
Blood trickled down Amelia’s leg after she scraped it against a sharp rock. Her head throbbed from the blow she’d received from Thomas causing her the inability to stand. She could hear him approaching her but felt she was going nowhere. Keeping her eyes ahead of her to find a tree or something large enough to hide behind, she didn’t realize that he caught up. A strong hand grabbed her ankle as she let out another cry. It was an effort just trying to make any kind of noise. When Thomas kicked and jumped on her chest earlier, she felt like her insides collapsed. As she opened her mouth to call out for help, her sore body couldn’t manage the sound.
There was somebody in the distance. His presence was felt by her but he wasn’t helping. Amelia begged, both for Thomas to stop tormenting her and for the mystery man to lend a hand. Her attempts were useless.
“Leave now,” Thomas turned his head and shouted. “Never speak a word of this, ever. She will respect me from now on.” He could hear Amelia trying to plea for help but it wasn’t loud enough for anyone other than himself to hear. The rustling of tree branch let him know that his friend had left, and he was alone with Amelia at last.
He turned his attention back to his misbehaved fiancée. Thomas slid his belt off of his pants, pulled Amelia’s hands behind her back, and tied them together. She groaned and Thomas swore that she was getting louder. The last thing he wanted was for someone to find him treating her the way he was and was afraid that she was gaining her strength back enough to scream. He pulled his shirt off and used it to gag her mouth. He’d waited a long time to take her and though he would rather have her be a willing participant, he knew that she would refuse him. “After tonight you’ll desire me and the next time you beg me it’ll be for me to make passionate love to you.” He could feel her panicking underneath him. His manhood pushed the insides of his pants as he used one hand to release himself from the confinement. Thomas straddled her as he pulled her dress up to her midsection. He guided himself towards her tender spot and the anticipation of taking her virginity made him laugh. Without regards to how it would feel for her, Thomas shoved himself inside of her. Right away his anger grew at the realization she wasn’t a virgin. His fingers tightened around her neck as he scowled, “You little whore.” Still inside of her, his erection became excited as he tried to choke her. Thomas thrust several times as he hung onto her uncooperative hips then released his climax deep inside of her.
Amelia became numb from all the pain she’d been experiencing. She thought about how sweet her love making had been with Patrick and how it was ruined because of Thomas. Amelia wondered if Patrick would still have her now she was tainted by the one man she’d despised for so long. She could feel the tears rolling down the side of her face. “I hate you, Thomas Van Martin,” she spoke after he released the shirt from her mouth.
Thomas was disgusted with her and decided that she needed more of a punishment. “I’m calling a village meeting tomorrow. You’ll be marked a jezebel and your father a trader.”
Amelia’s knees were pulled close to her chest as she sat rocking back and forth. As far as she was concerned there was nothing more humiliating that he could do to her after his unkind acts upon her. “How Thomas?” She quizzed. “To tell them I’m not a virgin you will have to tell them you raped me.”
Thomas’ hand came down hard as he struck her across the face. “I’m not as stupid as you think I am. I will tell them I spied you and that stranger in the act. You’ll never find a man who’ll give you a happy life, the stranger will be hung for sexually violating you because they won’t believe you when you say you wanted it, and your father will be executed.”
“What does my father have to do with it?”
“Treason, you’re father betraye
d our country and I’m going to the authorities.”
The conversation she had with Patrick flooded her memory of her father’s crimes. As far as she was concerned the authorities were most likely already on their way to Millersport. She had to think of a way to stop Thomas. “I’ll be your wife with no more fight, just please don’t do that.”
Thomas looked down at the beaten girl. Amelia was shameful and marriage to her was now out of the question. He straightened his clothes out and kicked her one final time. “You’re not worthy of being a Van Martin.” He walked away and never looked back. Part of him was thrilled that he could have his way with her and part of him was angered by the outcome.
Major General Downy was making his journey out of Millersport when he heard faint screams in the distance. The dark hours were upon him and although the sounds alarmed him, he felt it was not of his concern. There was a war going, and he was already in a sour mood from Buchanan’s rejection to join the militia. A few minutes later he spotted a young man running out of the woods then bending over and vomiting onto the ground. There were still noises coming from the direction the young man came from. Downy investigated.
He walked quietly into the area and saw in the distance another young man and a young girl who looked to be in trouble. His unheard footsteps, a skill he gained being in the military, brought him closer to the scene as he watched the rape go on before him. Immediately he thought to help the girl but then stopped in his tracts. If he stopped the crime being displayed before him, he’d have to take the man to the nearest law enforcer and state what he had witnessed. War was the only thing on his mind, no time to deal with locals. Still, he wanted to make sure the girl was all right.
Downy had inched closer to the scene and overheard the conversation. The man spoke of turning her father into the authorities, causing Downy to realize the girl was a Samuels. He wondered for a moment which daughter she was but was not concerned at the moment. Henry was not the only one who would be punished for his funding; his daughter was taking abuse as well. He ducked down into the brushes when he saw the man he now knew as Thomas headed in his direction.
When the coast was cleared Downy hurried over to the girl. “What’s going on here?” He asked as though he caught his soldiers doing something they shouldn’t have been. “What’s your name?”
Amelia sat crying when she was approached by a large man in an Army uniform. She had no idea who he was or what rank he held but her instincts told her he was in the village to capture her father. “Why didn’t you help me?” She quizzed instead of answering. “I called out for you, heard you out there.” She assumed this was the same man that Thomas had sent away even though she begged for help.
Downy sat down next to her and handed her a hanky from his pocket to clean herself up. “I heard no such pleas. Who are you?”
“Amelia Samuels,” she stated, but he cut her off from saying more.
“As in Henry Samuels’ eldest daughter?” He looked to girl to see her nod her head. “Do you know who I am?”
For the first time since his arrival Amelia realized the importance of this man and fear again rose inside of her. She had tried so hard to find her father, to warn him that someone might look for him but Thomas’ stunt had prevented that. She feared that the officer already reached her father, feared that he was in custody some place waiting to be tried, feared that he was already dead. “Not exactly,” she cried, “but please tell me that my father is all right. I know what he has done, and I knew it was only a matter of time before you would come looking for him.”
He couldn’t get over her loyalty to Henry when all that unfolded before him, moments before, was caused by her father’s treason. “You mean you don’t know?” He knew leading her to think the worst was cruel, but he was good at it. Her already sad face became more stressed and Downy’s heart softened just a little. He reached his hand over to her shoulder and said, “You’re father will be taken care of in due time. As of this moment, he’s fine.”
After all that has happened to her, the engagement, the distance it put her with her loved ones, the abuse and rape, her father was still the most important person in her life. “Thank you,” she spoke. Her body was in a lot of pain and even a simple act like talking had made her ache.
“For now,” Downy stated. He knew Amelia was physically hurt and wanted to help her but he was a man of his word and would not sugar coat things to her to make her feel better. “Let me help you home then I can bring your father to the capital with me. Save me time and another trip to Millersport.”
“What? No,” she wanted to shout if her lungs would let her.
“Don’t take it personal girl, I’m doing my job.” Downy heard her ask him questions about what would happen to Henry; questions he felt she didn’t need to know at the moment. He didn’t expect her sudden pleas.
“Please don’t take him,” Amelia begged with fresh tears rolling down her face. “My father made mistakes, but he’s a good man.”
He chuckled at the thought. “How can you say that? Look what has happened to you tonight because of him.” She looked confused, and he continued. “Don’t you think I know everything that has happened because Henry Samuels interfered with the US government?”
Amelia frowned, everything that happened to her was her father’s fault but still she could not stand by while they took him away from her and her family. “Please sir, I still love him and I forgive him for what he’s done to me and to the country. There must be another way.”
“If I don’t take Henry Samuels for the crimes he committed, who would I,” he started but let his words trail off as he thought about the situation for a moment. There was a time back when he was younger when a robber had slit the throats of his wife and young daughter. He remembered begging the robber to do the same to him but he was only stabbed in the stomach and left for dead. The authorities captured the robber, and he was rightfully sentenced to a life in prison. For Downy, every day he lived without his family was a punishment from God for not protecting them better. He brought his thoughts back to Henry Samuels and knew that if he loved Amelia half as much as Downy loved his, he would feel a painful punishment if Amelia’s life was taken for his treason.
The girl was crying and the Major General felt bad for her. He second guessed his decision, but this was war and she’d only be a lost soldier and would not weigh on his conscience. Trying to make her feel better enough to be comfortable around him, he spoke at last. “You’re right; your father is a good man. Let’s get you cleaned up so you can get home and care for those wounds.”
Amelia sensed softness in him as she asked, “My father?”
“Your father will be fine,” he answered. It wasn’t a lie as far as he was concerned. Henry Samuels would grieve and pray forgiveness of his sins but in the court of law, he’d be fine in the long run. Downy stood up and waited for Amelia to follow but could see the pain it was causing her.
“I think my leg is broken,” she cried as she felt his hand grab onto her arm to help pull her up. The agony shot through her body and she let out a scream. The Major General swooped her up in his arms and walked towards the creek.
Her scream alarmed him though he knew she did it out of discomfort and not for her safety. Still, he couldn’t chance someone else coming to her rescue. “Shhh,” he comforted her. He knew that she was weak, and he’d have no struggle from her. “Amelia, you must wash up before you go back home or people would ask questions. Think you can stand in the water?”
He let her down into the cold wet bank as she nodded her head. It hurt her to stand on it but she knew he was right and that she couldn’t go back into the village with all the mud and blood still covering her body. They’d question what happened to her leg and why she will have bruises but to protect her father; she’d lie and tell everyone she fell. Before bending over to clean up, she questioned more. “What about Thomas Van Martin? When I refuse to marry him, he’ll report my father.”
&
nbsp; Downy grinned at her innocence. In walking towards her death, she was still concerned with Henry Samuels. “Don’t worry; I’ll take care of all of that.” He saw her look of approval in the moonlight and encouraged her to continue washing. As she stepped into deeper water, Downy slipped on a pair of gloves that were tucked into his pocket. When she bent over to wash her face, the Major General acted on an act of war; grabbed hold of her fragile body with one hand and her head with the other as she struggled just below the surface of the water. It wasn’t long before her body stopped moving and he let go of his grip. He stood knee deep in the water, waiting to see if there was any movement from Amelia, until she was dead.
Walking back to dry land, Downy wrung out his gloves and placed them back in his pocket. He turned towards the body he noticed floating out to deeper parts of the creek and declared the case against Henry Samuels to be over.
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If you would like to know more about Sally Hamilton’s death, you can visit the following websites for further information.
Greene County Register Star
Find a Grave
Night before Noon (blog)
Legendary Locals of Greene County
Or Google the term “Sally Hamilton 1813”
A picture of Sally’s headstone from local history book.
The remains of Sally’s headstone. This picture was taken in the summer of 2013- 200 years after the death of Sally Hamilton.
The headstones of Sally’s family. Pictured here are her father’s, her uncle’s, and the woman that was married to both of them. Sally’s stone originally sat back further.
“Murder’s Creek” Sally Hamilton (and Amelia) were found here.
About C.P Murphy
C.P Murphy lives and writes in upstate New York. She has been writing stories since she learned how to pick up a pencil. In 2003, her first novella was published. Although it left much to be desired, it opened her eyes to the world of publishing. When she’s not writing for herself, C.P. Murphy helps other authors. She has written reviews, shared their news on social media, and assisted with many behind the scenes activities such as manuscript setup, proofreading, and occasional ghost writing. She works in correctional healthcare.
“Amelia’s Story” was inspired by actual events. C.P. Murphy’s village, characters, and plot have all been fictional but what happens to Amelia, happened. Many readers have shown their dislike for the book, saying it was a waste of time. This book was written for all the new generations of C.P. Murphy’s hometown. It’s her way of telling the story that was told to her, and generations before her. In no way was this book meant to entertain readers, but the author hopes you did feel something for it. Thank you for reading.
Find more books by C.P. Murphy
Love Everlasting
What would you do if you were still very young and your spouse suddenly died? Would you remarry? What if you were the young spouse that died? Would you want your other half to live a life he/she deserves, to be happy, have kids? Love Everlasting is a story about two people faced with these questions.
Love Everlasting has been called a cute story and quick weekend read!
St. Matthew’s House
Sophia Demitri moved to Greenville to escape her obsessive ex-boyfriend. After renting a house she found through an online classified, she learns that her new home used to be a church.
Frankie Everhart lives his life carelessly until visions of his deceased bride, and a mysterious engagement ring, sends Sophia straight into his arms.
Things are going bump-in-the-night in the St. Matthew’s House and Sophia thinks she’s going insane. Her and Frankie are falling in love….but the St. Matthew’s House has a mind of its own.
