Comments for Blogging the Cross Creek Trial

Comment on The Full First Chapter by Nancy Arico

Nancy Arico — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:36:40 +0000

Dear Billy,
Last night was the last performance of “My Friend Zelma”, by Dr. Michael Gannon, in which I played Mary Carn and Ida M. Tarrant; two witnesses in the Cason/Baskin trial.
I have been exposed to an incredible amount of information concerning this era in the life of Florida, and am grateful to add this chapter’s stories to my mind’s library.
Because you piqued my thoughts in defense of Marjorie, I am most glad to have added some depth and width to my former take on the events and the people surrounding the trial.
I loved the Cross Creek novel, and allowed it to define Marjorie and Zelma. Dr. Gannon and Mr. Baskin’s written interpretation of the trial served to support that definition. How foolish of me! I have no less love for these events and people; only a stimulated desire to further read, research, and learn about who they were and how they lived.
Kate Walton was certainly a pioneer. Brave, disciplined and with such foresight. My admiration of her has only been deepened by your account of her life.
Write on, Pilgrim!

Comment on Chapter 1, Scene 1 by Lee, your devoted sister

Lee, your devoted sister — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:54:04 +0000

This is amazing. Love you.

Comment on Sunday, March 4, 1945: “Florida Still Undeveloped, Says Caldwell” by Willie Fells

Willie Fells — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:59:42 +0000

Billy I really impressed with your research and your writing I can not wait to read this book in entirety!

Comment on Homicide Rate in 1926 Putnam County Worse Than 2008 Detroit by Willie Fells

Willie Fells — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:25:25 +0000

Wow it always stuns me how people are so quick to say how inhumane people are today verses early times and i am always quick to point out how untrue that is!

Comment on “I Ain’t No Porter” by Willie Fells

Willie Fells — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:19:31 +0000

Wow as I am a a sixth generation Black Floridian that is as far as i know we go back, my great grandmother often tells me about how these times were in the early 1900’s. This is very good cant wait to read the next post!

Comment on A Bunch of Mannish Hussies by Lee

Lee — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:18:19 +0000

This was by far the most interesting post for me. These three women Marjorie, Zelma and Kate are all so fascinating. In a way Aunt Katie beat them all. She was a woman who had what Marjorie said Zelma had- the ability of a man, etc.. Aunt Katie was a lawyer who knew first hand what it was to live in a mans world, both professionally and personally as Gma tells it. Marjorie seems almost obsessed with putting labels on it or making something lewd of what I suppose she would describe as these mannish women. Really, its a bit strange that she plays with gender and sex but then cant recommend a book becuase of its lesbian undertones or whatever….etc. She obviously is perplexed by what she cannot describe or control or label herself. I love what Zelma reportadly said of the hussy thing I mean. I am sending this to good friend Kathleen who might offer you and us some interesting feedback.

Comment on From Cross Creek to … Abortion? by Kemp Brinson

Kemp Brinson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:29:45 +0000

Was that last line directed at me?

Your case of interest (I think, I have not read the opinion) has to do with the TORT of invasion of privacy which is rooted in the common law. It is the right of one private person to sue another private person for invading one’s privacy.

The Roe v. Wade decision is founded on a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT not to have the government restrict private conduct.

Although they both use the word “privacy” they are two entirely different legal concepts. One is a cause of action among private individuals, the other a limit on what a government is able to do. One is founded in the common law, the other on constitutional concepts.

I am much more of a legal pragmatist than a scholar, but I will venture to say that these two decisions MIGHT follow from the same ancient common law principles that came over on the boat that landed at Jamestown. Perhaps they share a common ancestor, in the same sense that apples and oranges do. It is unlikely that one could draw a line from your case to Roe v. Wade in any coherent way without going way back in time before coming forward again. That’s more of a strong hunch than a rock solid conclusion.

With respect to the more broad question, which is more interesting and answerable, the best place to start would be to Shepardize the appellate opinion and start reading.

Comment on “I Ain’t No Porter” by Billy

Billy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:38:19 +0000

I took your advice, Cynthia, and dropped the gratuitous f-bomb. I think you were right.

Comment on “I Ain’t No Porter” by Cynthia Barnett

Cynthia Barnett — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:44:18 +0000

Nice post and thoughtful analysis. Thot it might be stronger if you said, “you can bet he carried his own bags.” Interesting that she claimed to find the lesbian subject matter repulsive. Can’t wait to read the next installment.

Comment on “Yielding to the Expressed Will of the Community” by "Uncle John" Townsend

"Uncle John" Townsend — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:51:11 +0000

Hey Billy,
I read all four pieces a couple of weeks ago and thought about them alot. I just skimmed over most of it again because two weeks is just about my memory limit. Anyway, much of the stuff about the trial I remember from either reading the book or someone telling me, but this really helped flesh it out.
But both times I read it I found myself thinking about race in our family history. My childhood was in the 50’s when segregation was widely accepted (even by our family) and it’s end truly scared many people of conscience. We have slave holders among our ancestors. I don’t want to get in to too much, but growing up in our family in the segregated amd post- segregated south was to know the tension between what was morally right but uncharted and what was undeniably wrong but known.
That doesn’t have much to do with the trial. but it’s what it made me think about.
I look forward to more.
John