| The Creative Expressions of... Bill Vivrett |
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| NightRiders: Incident on Big River Heights Page 6 of 6 _____________________________________________________ |
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| Updated 03.18.06 |
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| HISTORICAL NOTES
HELLO_______________THE HOUSE Even into the 20th Century, because of wanton lawlessness in the border state of Missouri, each isolate farmhouse became a refuge, a fortress of security, especially after dark. |
| Mounted male riders were immediately suspect, but anyone who approached any farmhouse knew to dismount or get out of the buggy (later, the car) and approach the house slowly in plain sight.
With more than one person in a group, common sense required that only one of any group approached close enough to talk. Any deviation might be met with sudden and accurate rifle fire from inside. Because it was assumed that all strangers were �up to no good,� it was practical to state your business from a distance but the initial calling out �Hello______the House� preceded every attempt at communication. I have been with my dad on numerous occasions when this traditional protocol was used�as recently as 1950. So, if that seems quaint or even fictional, I invite you to check it out. Suggested readings: Giles, Enemy Women Jones, Elkhorn Tavern HISTORICAL NOTES* Sam Hildebrand was perhaps the most notorious of renegade terrorists who operated out of the Leadbelt section of the Heartland Hills. His raids earned him a hatred, which lasted into the 20th century. He began a reign of cruelty, revenge killings and terror that continued until his death. This psychopath and the vermin who rode with him were considered cowards and unfit for honorable military service in either army during the Civil War. Unlike the mystique that built up around Jesse James, decent people in Jefferson County held Hildebrand in contempt from the first. Hildebrand named his rifle �Kill Devil� and notched the rifle stock for each person he bushwhacked and murdered. It had eighty notches. He was killed by Sheriff John Ragland in Pinkneyville, Illinois while resisting arrest. *Detailed documentation is available. ___________________________________________________________________________________ This is a work of fiction. Copyright 2004 by William Vivrett |
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