Lady of the Night

by Hayman, Richard B.

• ISBN13: 9781469795782
• ISBN10: 1469795787
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-10
• Publisher: Author Solutions

Summary

It is 1860, and slavery is tearing the nation apart. In the rough-hewn Third Ward of Milwaukee, the law is treated casually by the mostly Irish immigrants who live there and by those charged with enforcing it. People are safe enough by day, yet trouble brews beneath the surface. As the Lady Elgin, a luxury paddleboat steamer, docks at the waterfront, Irish immigrants are preparing to secretly set into motion a plan that will put them on a collision course with history and forever alter the political and ethnic makeup of their city. Wisconsin is divided politically. With the Democrats splitting and the South recruiting its own candidates, the members of Milwaukee's Union Guard, led by Captain Garrett Barry, decide to attend a political rally for Lincoln's opponent, Stephen Douglas. As the fear of war hangs in the air, hundreds of Irish men, women, and their children board the Lady Elgin for Chicago, unaware that their journey is about to take a tragic turn. In this compelling tale based on true events, Irish mythology and American history are interwoven into an unforgettable story of intrigue and heartbreak that provides a glimpse into the lives of those lost on a September night in 1860 in the greatest maritime disaster on open water in the history of the Great Lakes.

Excerpts

"The Lady Elgin is scheduled to make a run from Milwaukee to Chicago to arrive on time for the parade, returning later that evening." Garrity loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar. ... "The Lady Elgin, is it? Now that's going in style." "Indeed. The Lady is a pleasure craft, you know, the most luxurious steamer on the Great Lakes. Food, wine, and dancing will be provided, with music played by a German band." "German," said O'Mara. "There's the worst of it." "Now, Dan, we all know there's no love lost between the Irish and the Germans in this town, but in the election the Germans are on our side." Jack nodded. "It's not so much that they favor Douglas as that they fear Lincoln. Freeing the slaves could mean war. Many Germans came to this country to escape conscription." ... "What is the date, did you say?" "September 6. The ship leaves the dock Thursday, the sixth, at 7:00 pm and arrives Friday morning. ... There should be a few hours for free time in Chicago before the return voyage late Friday night. During this interval, arrangements will be made to get the rifles and load them on the ship. The ship will arrive back in Milwaukee Saturday morning." "That would be September 8." "By God, you have it all worked out ..." "Gentlemen, are we all agreed?" Garrity shot a questioning glance at Barry, who nodded.