"The Truth Never Expires"

Raymond Page

Hist 4004

Dr. Yacovazzi

“The Truth Never Expires”

Abstract

It has been over ten years since the end of the America Civil War and while the physical war has ended, the atrocities, violence and phycological effects of the time continue. It is 1877 and with Reconstruction coming to a close, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan imminent, and the enforcement of “black codes” in the South; many blacks flee to the North in search of work, education and to be apart of the “Dream” in America. These freed men and women brought with them cultural diversity expecting to be more welcomed in the North however, much to their dismay, things really did not improve for some time.

Brady Tom is a former Union Soldier of Black and Caucasian decent who served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment during the American Civil War. He was apart of the unit that charged Fort Wagner in an unsuccessful attempt to take the fort from the Confederacy.[1] During the charge he looses his left leg and now represents the physical and psychological effects of war as he like many other blacks flees to the North in hope of finding work. He uses his military background to obtain a position with the local Constables Department in Camelot Virginia.

Veritas Numquam Perit The “truth never expires.”

The motto of the city of Camelot Virginia is about to be put to the test as a gruesome crime is committed. Brooke Jones is a beautiful wealthy white woman married to Perkins Jones; a coal, salt, and gold mining tycoon. [2] Tragedy strikes the heart of the community one Fall Morning as Brooke is brutally assaulted, raped and murdered by the side of the county road. With the Constables office lacking the literacy and detective skills, they turn to the newly promoted Officer Brady Tom who is very literate in French and English as well as an expert rifleman. Brady Tom’s investigation will lead him to dark truths exposed as well as the adversity he will have to overcome being African American first of all, and then second being crippled both physically and psychologically by the horrors of war.

With the Union victory in the Civil War, the expectations were high for the newly freed slaves in the Southern States. Much to their dismay this sense of hope and equality in the South quickly faded away with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.

“The Democrats agreed not to block Hayes’ victory on the condition that Republicans withdraw all federal troops from the South, thus consolidating Democratic control over the region. As a result of the so-called Compromise of 1877 (or Compromise of 1876), Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina became Democratic once again, effectively marking the end of the Reconstruction era.” [3]

These newly freed black former slaves fled North in search of Education, Jobs and a piece of the American Dream. Among those is Brady Tom; a wounded educated veteran who is looking to pursue a career in Law Enforcement with the hopes of one day standing up and representing all those struggling with oppression. He is hired August 1st 1877 by the Camelot Constables Office in Camelot Virginia; a prosperous small knit kit community molded together by the prosperity of the local mines.

November 22nd 1877

Camelot Morning Star:

Socialite and wife of mine tycoon slain

“the wife of coal, gold mine tycoon perkins jones was found dead this morning by passerby’s near the town market. The mayors office said that “broke jones” left her husband earlier in the day to get supplies from the market and never returned. Her body was found naked and disgraced in a field overlooking the town market. The constables office is interviewing witnesses and ask anyone with information to come in.”

“BRADY! Where the hell is that TOM BRADY…. Brady Tom!” “Here I am sir. What is the trouble?” “Brady, the mayors office has just put us in charge of this here investigation and we ought to not disappoint! You’r our best field hand and I need you to take charge of this hear investigation boy! You can take whatever you need with you but make haste son! For the boss comes down on us all!” “Yes Sir. I shall make my way. Who is the victim?” “She’s the wife of Perkin’s Jones for Christ sake man, read the paper! Make haste Brady… make haste!”

Brady Jones arrives at the crime scene where a white sheet is covering the body of Brooke Jones. “Now who in the devil might you be boy?” “I am Brady Tom and I have been sent by the Constable Sherriff to investigate this hear murder.” “HAHAH Well shuck my corn! They done put a nigger in charge of solving a white woman’s murder! This country’s going to hell and a handbasket I tell you. Ok son…. Have you ever investigated a murder before?” “No sir, seen plenty of bodies during the war though. Almost went with the beyond myself in ’63 at Wager.” “You don’t limp too good their sonny…. Are you up for this with one leg and all?” “Well I reckon we will see sir… we will see. Tell me who this is?” “Brooke Jones the wife of Perkins Jones who owns all the mines in this town and pays yo salary boy! Have some respect for the beyond!” “I have not meant any disrespect sir… How long has Ms Jones been in this condition?” “I reckon over 6 hours before I finally placed that sheet over her.” “Witnesses?” “None. You might check with some of them gals over by the market. They haven’t left since we found her.” “What’s this lying next to her in the dirt? It looks like a pair of broken spectacles and a gold chain. I reckon I better collect these as evidence. Has anyone contacted her husband?”

“For devils sake son! Have Mercy, he just found out his wife was in such a delicate state! I reckon that old man’s heart won’t bear the loss. He is at city hall weeping his eyes out with the mayor. Are you gonna have a chat with them gals or what?” “Later… I must return to city hall at once to interview the husband. He must be able to account for his…” “Surly for God’s sake man! Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” “I just need to know where he was that’s all. I mean no disrespect. Thank you good sir.”

Brady Tom leaves the crime scene while the medical examiner takes the body to the morgue. Brady Tom arrives at city hall to interview Perkins Jones.