Sadie's Secret
A real story
by
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“The Big ‘Un took care of me. We had a shelter of cypress and woven palmetto fronds down near the Indians.”
“The Big One? Sandy didn’t mention him. Tell me about him.”
“He was big, hairy, ugly as all get out, and smelly. Didn't speak any, but he was kind and gentle. He was the Big ‘Un, that’s all. He spent most time in the slough, slept in the woodshed or the porch when it rained.”
“What did Johnston do?”
"If it hadn’t happened, he'd be here right now.”
“What happened?”
“You don't understand the slough. We did everything by hand. Johnston built this cabin with his two hands. Some of the ranch hands chipped in, the Big ‘Un, an’ some of the neighbors, but Johnston did most of it in about a year. Then we told people we was married. Johnston worked with a partner up the river, Seth Turner, from Tallahassee. He brought a wagonload of equipment to set up a sawmill. They traded too, mostly alligator hides, bird feathers, fish, mud turtles and alligator meat. The Indians made duck carvings, woven baskets and necklaces they took to Sawgrass Bay and East. Johnston was a good man, but after the trade, he filled his jug with whiskey. In the end, it was his undoin.’ When he got back, he’d get stinkin’ drunk and stay that way for a day or two. I saw the big picture. Johnston was a good man, except for that jug.”
“What happened to The Big One?”
“Once Johnston shared that jug with the Big ‘Un. The Big 'Un never drunk liquor before. I could hear 'em both letting on real loud into the night. It was a mistake, a bad mistake. Sounded like they got to wrestling around and it got out of hand. Johnston was no match for the Big ‘Un. He was much smaller so Johnston shot him.”
“Johnston shot The Big One?”
“Well, Johnston had to defend himself. I didn’t see what happened. When I heard the shot, I heard the Big ‘Un howl for some time, then it was quiet, too quiet, so I stayed inside. I waited 'til Johnston slept off that jug, then he'd be alright. Next day, he told me the Big ‘Un died from that shot. Johnston told me he’d take care of things. He
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About the Book
This book is the fictional story of one man’s journey from agnostic concerning unusual phenomena into the realm of belief in the existence of the Big Foot in the swamps of West Florida. Inspired by the natural beauty of present day Myakka River State Park, not far from Sarasota, Florida, the story deals with human vulnerability to belief and how our natural propensity to adopt beliefs without scientific proof of their validity can be manipulated and used by others for their own purposes.
The story is mostly seen through the eyes of Mike Byrne, a member of the local Palmetto County Historical Society, as he volunteers to interview the oldest known citizen of the county, Sadie Sutton. He gradually becomes convinced there is more to her distant past than what she is willing to disclose for the society records. He becomes open to the ideas of the speaker at a presentation sponsored by the local Almas Association where his suspicions quickly evolve into the belief that Sadie carries the blood of the DeBosi in her veins.
As he struggles with his desire to prove his belief is true, Mike is drawn into the carefully structured snare of those who seek to use his belief for their own purposes. In this story, the end justifies the means in the name of a noble cause, and the swamp where Sadie has lived all her life is preserved. However, there is concern that belief, once encouraged and nurtured, may put in motion forces that will destroy the objectives of those who seek to take advantage of others.
Jon C. Hall
About the Author
Jon C. Hall graduated from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, and Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. He was admitted to the Bar in Indiana, Illinois, and Florida.
He specialized in real estate law, practicing in Indiana, Illinois and Florida. Due to health reasons, he retired from the active practice of law in 2000, teaching law courses to paralegals at Essex County Community College in New Jersey where he lived with his sister until his death in 2004. He maintained an active interest in nature, environmental issues, and archaeology, formerly a member of the South Florida Archaeological Association, the Florida Anthropological Society, the Roebling Chapter of the National Society for Industrial Archaeology, and The Write Group in Montclair, New Jersey.
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Barbara D. Hall graduated from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio and obtained a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
She was a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in Food and Drug Law, and maintained a New Jersey Real Estate License; investing and managing real estate. In retirement, she assisted her brother during the last few years of his life writing and editing books, sharing interests in photography, sailing, nature, and archaeology.
Barbara is a member of The Write Group in Montclair, New Jersey and the International Woman’s Writing Guild.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Bokuru, by Jon C. Hall, edited by Barbara D. Hall, AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, June 2005.
ADAM’S EVE -A Handbook for the Social Revolution; ECOA and the Story of Adam and Eve; by Jon C. Hall, J. D., and Barbara D. Hall. AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, May 2006. Awarded 1st in the state of New Jersey at NJ Federation of Women’s Clubs Achievement Day for the cover design; Foreword Magazine’s Silver Award for Book of the Year 2006 for Independent Publication in Family and Relationships.
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