Research and Rabbit Trails…Again
Researching a historical novel leads one down interesting rabbit trails (for my blog post on research and rabbit trails, click here).
As I read more about the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of the Dominion of Canada, I discovered all kinds of treasures through various archives, which have been beautifully preserved for history nerds like me. Each Canadian chapter kept meticulous meeting minutes. Some saved files of all their printed materials and maintained anything having to do with the work they did in their communities. Newspapers of the time recorded complete speeches from the leaders of these chapters at various public meetings, capturing their passionate speeches.
One article broke my heart.
As I was researching The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, I came across a blog post in the official blog of The Library and Archives of Canada. This particular article was about one of the famous five Canadian women, (known for bringing about the right to vote) Nellie McLung. A short paragraph about efforts of WCTUs to achieve social improvements caught my attention. It then went on to provide a link to a petition brought by a group of women from the Quebec chapter to then Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Sir Allen Bristol Aylesworth.
Of course, I just had to follow that link!
The Petition from 1908
March 24, 1908. In this document the WCTU reiterate the purpose of their visit to the Minister’s office to discuss the ‘apparent inefficiency of the penalties already provided, for cases of criminal assault upon children of tender years.’ Following, cases are cited, one of which piqued my curiosity (leading me on yet another rabbit trail).
In 1906, the people of Cote St. Paul in Montreal Canada witnessed a disturbing trial. Some likely wondered what they could have done to stop this heinous act of child abuse and murder. The Montreal Star recorded in detail the trial that would sentence James Thomas Hackett to twenty-five years in prison, after which he would be freed. (For a readable version of the Montreal Star articles visit: The Ahern Family – Edith May Ahern, Part II (rootsweb.com)
The presiding judge, restrained by the letters of the law, gave a speech in which his own opinions were shared with the crowd of over four hundred present for the verdict. The maximum sentence he could award for this criminal act was twenty-five years, with parole at the end of the sentence.
Over two thousand women belonged to the provincial chapter of Quebec at the time. They sent a delegation of two to meet with the Minister following the trial and other cases stated in the letter. With ‘hearts on fire’ because of these injustices, the time had come when remaining silent was no longer an option.
The Birth of Though Trials Come
As I read through the trial, my heart ached for the atrocity that fell on this little five-year-old child. There were moments I had to stop reading and just cry. It was then that the seeds of a story started, questions formed which are at the heart of Though Trials Come. What must the child have gone through? How could a mother move beyond this kind of tragedy? And how would others rally around this grieving family?
This story has been a challenge to write, because it pierces my mother’s heart. It speaks to living out my faith. Becoming the voice of those who are voiceless.
It’s a story that affects each of us, no matter who we are or our place of birth.
And I hope to one day bring that story to you.
About the Novel
Montreal, 1906. Inspired by true events, Though Trials Come is the story of Jacqueline and Sarah, two women from very different worlds bound together by the murder of an innocent child. And the group of women who rallied around them fighting for change and justice to the Criminal Code of the Dominion of Canada.