Amelia’s Secrets
Historical Fiction
The story begins in 1883 at the height of the Golden Years of Amelia Island,
Florida. Reconstruction and growth from the influx of carpetbaggers and
completion of the railroad after the civil war has brought not only wealth but
beauty as well in the form of Katie Eppes newly wed to one of the towns
dashing young conductors of the Florida & Peninsular Railroad, T. J. “Jeff”
Eppes, Great-great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson.
Katie immediately sets tongues wagging as she creates social havoc in her
everyday zest for life willfully disregarding etiquette to dress and go about
as she pleases, mostly alone as T. J.’s job keeps him out of town quite often
much to her displeasure.
This finally culminates in the murder on February 7, 1884 by T. J. of a long
time friend, Ferdinand Suhrer, husband and father of six children, President
of the City Council and former officer of many public offices Federal, State
and municipal, due to a supposed indiscretion committed against Katie by
Mr. Suhrer.
The town is in an uproar, the trial originally slated for spring session of the
circuit court has been ordered for a change of venue to Jacksonville.
On May 27th after several hours and a special venire of seventy five jurors
and a regular panel due to the prominence of the case it had been discussed
throughout the county and a full day goes by without selecting a jury.
The trial commences on May 28th with final jury selection and prosecution
presentation and on May 29th the defense presents its case; the jury retires
and after only ten minutes returns with a verdict.
The cast of characters is as wide and varied as the history of the island.
Readers will journey to Cumberland Island to the home of the Carnegie’s as
they build Dungeness, to South Carolina as Louis Horsey begins his studies
at the Medical College and as the lives of the main characters intertwine
during their daily lives among the streets of Fernandina, Amelia Island,
Florida.
Historical Fiction
The story begins in 1883 at the height of the Golden Years of Amelia Island,
Florida. Reconstruction and growth from the influx of carpetbaggers and
completion of the railroad after the civil war has brought not only wealth but
beauty as well in the form of Katie Eppes newly wed to one of the towns
dashing young conductors of the Florida & Peninsular Railroad, T. J. “Jeff”
Eppes, Great-great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson.
Katie immediately sets tongues wagging as she creates social havoc in her
everyday zest for life willfully disregarding etiquette to dress and go about
as she pleases, mostly alone as T. J.’s job keeps him out of town quite often
much to her displeasure.
This finally culminates in the murder on February 7, 1884 by T. J. of a long
time friend, Ferdinand Suhrer, husband and father of six children, President
of the City Council and former officer of many public offices Federal, State
and municipal, due to a supposed indiscretion committed against Katie by
Mr. Suhrer.
The town is in an uproar, the trial originally slated for spring session of the
circuit court has been ordered for a change of venue to Jacksonville.
On May 27th after several hours and a special venire of seventy five jurors
and a regular panel due to the prominence of the case it had been discussed
throughout the county and a full day goes by without selecting a jury.
The trial commences on May 28th with final jury selection and prosecution
presentation and on May 29th the defense presents its case; the jury retires
and after only ten minutes returns with a verdict.
The cast of characters is as wide and varied as the history of the island.
Readers will journey to Cumberland Island to the home of the Carnegie’s as
they build Dungeness, to South Carolina as Louis Horsey begins his studies
at the Medical College and as the lives of the main characters intertwine
during their daily lives among the streets of Fernandina, Amelia Island,
Florida.
Maggie Carter - de Vries
 | |  | |  | |  |
Maggie Carter - de Vries |
ISBN 9781434394798 Paperback
ISBN 9781434394781 Dust Jacket Hardcover
ISBN 9781434394781 Dust Jacket Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-4389-3818-9 Paperback
Ghosts of Amelia & Other Tales
Fiction/ Thriller
Residents and visitors alike are charmed by the beauty and serene
attractions of our little island of Amelia. The wide sandy beaches, white
capped waves rolling and lapping upon the shores lure us to swim, surf, hunt
sea shells and sharks teeth, build sand castles and lather on suntan lotion as
we bronze away the lazy days of summer at the beach or stroll historic Centre
Street, while licking feverishly at ice creams melting and dripping down our
hands onto the sidewalks.
While least known among this tranquility drift the restless spirits of those
once walked on these streets, lived in these beautiful old homes in an era of
refined gentility, and died too soon or in ways unnatural.
Whether you are a believer or not, it my intention to pass these stories on to
you as told to me, not as a historical exercise but as one does in passing on
legends.
Therefore, sit back, relax and enjoy maybe you too will become a believer in
the end.
Fiction/ Thriller
Residents and visitors alike are charmed by the beauty and serene
attractions of our little island of Amelia. The wide sandy beaches, white
capped waves rolling and lapping upon the shores lure us to swim, surf, hunt
sea shells and sharks teeth, build sand castles and lather on suntan lotion as
we bronze away the lazy days of summer at the beach or stroll historic Centre
Street, while licking feverishly at ice creams melting and dripping down our
hands onto the sidewalks.
While least known among this tranquility drift the restless spirits of those
once walked on these streets, lived in these beautiful old homes in an era of
refined gentility, and died too soon or in ways unnatural.
Whether you are a believer or not, it my intention to pass these stories on to
you as told to me, not as a historical exercise but as one does in passing on
legends.
Therefore, sit back, relax and enjoy maybe you too will become a believer in
the end.
| maggie1948@yahoo.com 904-321-6180 |
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