Anguish of the Innocent
by
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1906 Philadelphia, Mississippi The sharp lightening illuminated a noose hanging from a large white-oak tree in the Kentawka River swamp near Philadelphia, Mississippi. The high winds of the approaching thunderstorm whipped it violently against the side of the tree, wrapped it around the branch then left it swaying threateningly against the horizon of the midnight sky. A long line of men on horseback stealthily left the swamp and only the last one in line looked back at the gruesome instrument of torture. He put his hand to his throat, swallowed and vowed it would not be used for the death of an innocent man. Sixteen-year old Billy Richards stood over the lifeless body of his father as it lay in repose in a silver casket in the parlor of his home. Tears wet his pallor cheeks and he knew that his plans for the future and life as he knew it was changed forever. He knew who murdered his father, Bilbo Richards, but fear kept the secret sealed inside him. He knew he could never tell, yet he was determined that somehow, someday his murderer would be revealed. Mattie Posey Mayo snapped the reins against the sides of the horse and made her way down the narrow dirt road under the cover of darkness. Joshua and Louisa Posey crouched in the bed of the wagon as they fled in fear for their lives. Wade Posey, George Posey and John Mayo along with other members of the Posey family crouched in the darkness of Joshua and Louisa Posey’s home and waited. They knew the men were coming so they patiently waited for the sound of horse hooves, the light of torches and the angry voices of men. Neither they, nor the violent men approaching had any idea of the terrible consequences that would follow. Some said it all started at the wedding of Mattie Posey and John Mayo - but I really think it started long before then. I suppose Red Sawyer had it in his heart to lash out at some black man, some black family - any black family - it was just that Louisa Posey exerted a bit of independence which Red interpreted as defiance. Red hated defiance, which was difficult to understand since he defied much of the social decorum of his time. And, it didn''t start with Red. IT, being the animosity between the races, but for the sake of the story - this particular incident - that is where we will start. Red had no idea how his one act of revenge would affect so many innocent people or how the people he cared about most would suffer from one cowardly act.
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About the Book
ANGUISH OF THE INNOCENT is a story about how innocent people suffer because of the guilty and the extent some would go to defend them.
How can the vengeful actions of one person cause so much pain and anguish to so many innocent people?
How could Joshua and Louisa Posey’s lives of peace and tranquility be so greatly effected by one man?
Wade Posey and John Mayo see the pain caused by this single act of revenge and take it upon themselves to prove the innocence of their friend, Joshua Posey.
Mattie Posey Mayo is caught up in helping protect her dearest friends. She takes extreme measures and is put in danger in her efforts to keep them from the clutches of the Ku Klux Klan.
How could the course of Billy Richard’s entire future be so drastically changed by this same action? His grief over the death of his father and the possibility of the death of an innocent man causes him to react in ways that would change his life forever. John Mayo compromises his integrity and goes to great lengths to help him.
Some said it all started at the wedding of Mattie Posey and John Mayo - but I really think it started long before then. I suppose Red Sawyer had it in his heart to lash out at some black man, some black family - any black family - it was just that Louisa Posey exerted a bit of independence which Red interpreted as defiance. Red hated defiance, which was difficult to understand since he defied much of the social decorum of his time. He had no idea how his one act of revenge would affect so many innocent people in Philadelphia, Mississippi or how the people he cared about most would suffer from one cowardly act. He should have known, but revenge dominated his thoughts, determined his actions and set the course of a lot of lives.
VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.
(The Bible - Romans 12:19b)
About the Author
Ellen Williamson (Daniels) was born and lived most of her life in
She is the mother of three children, James and Stan Daniels and Lori Ellen Cameron, the grandmother of two grandchildren, Roger Cameron and Carmen Daniels and one great-grandson, Jesse.