Virtual Serfdom under the Hapsburgs has gripped the Czech lands for generations. In the mid-nineteenth century, letters arrive from Cat Spring, America, telling of unbelievable freedom and opportunity. Rozina and her family decide to leave Moravia and take their chances. After crossing Europe by foot, wagon, and train, they make the arduous sea voyage to their new home, braving unbelievably crowded conditions, hunger, storms, sickness, and death.
As the family begins to scratch out a meager living and adjust to the adopted homeland, Civil War looms. They don’t speak English, oppose slavery and are against secession. When Texas joins the Confederacy, difficult choices must be made. Two sons join the Confederate forces and find themselves involved in the Battle of Galveston, the largest Civil War battle fought on Texas soil. Another avoids the military, choosing, instead, to haul cotton to Mexico – a more hazardous undertaking than he can possibly imagine.
A fourth-generation Texan, Mary Frances Chupick Bennett grew up in the “black lands” of Central Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. During her school teaching years she received many awards including “Teacher of the Year” from her south Texas school district.
For many years she felt the contributions of the people from the Czech lands of Europe had not been adequately told. Little has been written about these intrepid people who left their ancestral home for an unknown land. Invitation to Cat Spring; From European Tyranny to Freedom to Civil War is a historical novel molded from stories, written and oral, old documents, legends, traditions, and customs.
After several years of research and writing, and a trip to the Czech Republic, she entered her work in the 2003 Writer’s League of Texas Manuscript Contest where it placed in the finals.
She and her husband live in the Hill Country of Texas. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
March 31, 1861
What're the men doing?"
"Talking so we won't hear them. Now ther're starting to play cards."
"I can guess what they're talking about. You heard what Reverend Lukas said this morning. If there's a fight, he's going to Mexico."
“I’m glad Reverend Lukas came from Zadverice as he promised and I’m glad he’s settled close enough to have church services, but I didn’t like all that talk this morning.”
“But, Rozina, the men are worried about having to go into the army. There may be a war.”
“War. What are you talking about? My men aren’t going to the army. My sons are too young and we have no slaves. Let the others fight. It has nothing to do with us.”
Veseli Late 1861
Dear Loved Ones,
I sit down to write this letter though it may never reach you. When I write I feel that I am talking to you and I must tell someone what is happening. There has been shooting in Galveston. They say that many have left the town. Many of the Ameriký men have gone to fight. No Moravians and Bohemians will go because it doesn’t have anything to do with us.
Now ships can’t leave Galveston. No mail gets out and we can’t sell our cotton. Bales of cotton are stored everywhere. Business is so bad that Stepan no longer has a job.
Coffee, sugar, and flour are very scarce. Our clothes are very worn out but I can’t find any fabric. Some of the neighbors are talking about learning to spin…
Rozina looked at the words she had written. She set down her pen, put her hands to her face and wept.