The Founding
(Across the Great Divide, Book #3)
By Michael L. Ross
Two men, two dreams, two new towns on the plains, and a railroad that will determine whether the towns—one black, one white—live or die.
Will Crump has survived the Civil War, Red Cloud’s War, and the loss of his love, but the search for peace and belonging still eludes him. From Colorado, famed Texas Ranger Charlie Goodnight lures Will to Texas, where he finds new love, but can a Civil War sharpshooter and a Quaker find a compromise to let their love survive? When Will has a chance to join in the founding of a new town, he risks everything—his savings, his family, and his life—but it will all be for nothing if the new railroad passes them by.
Luther has escaped slavery in Kentucky through Albinia, Will’s sister, only to find prejudice rearing its ugly head in Indiana. When the Black Codes are passed, he’s forced to leave and begin a new odyssey. Where can he and his family go to be truly free? Can they start a town owned by blacks, run by blacks, with no one to answer to? But their success will be dependent on the almighty railroad and overcoming bigotry to prove their town deserves the chance to thrive.
Will’s eldest sister, Julia, and her husband, Hiram, are watching the demise of their steamboat business and jump into railroads, but there’s a long black shadow in the form of Jay Gould, the robber baron who ruthlessly swallows any business he considers competition. Can Julia fight the rules against women in business, dodge Gould, and hold her marriage together?
The Founding tells the little-known story of the Exodusters and Nicodemus, the black town on the plains of Kansas, and the parallel story of Will’s founding of Lubbock, Texas, against the background of railroad expansion in America. A family reunited, new love discovered, the quest for freedom, the rise of two towns. In the end, can they reach Across the Great Divide? The Founding is the exciting conclusion to the series.
Praise for The Founding
“Michael is an excellent storyteller and has done a wonderful job depicting Luther, and the other black characters in this book. He has done his homework and depicts many historical facts about Nicodemus in a most enlightening and creative way. It has been a pleasure working with someone who has made a concerted effort to get things right.
Angela Bates
Nicodemus Descendant/Historian
Executive Director
The Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum
EXCERPT
Kansas City, Missouri, 1867
Julia Crump Johannsen checked her hair in the mirror, repaired her makeup, then went into the kitchen to go over the menu again with the cook. Tonight they were hosting Senator Samuel Pomeroy, who was also president of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, and Jay Gould, the railroad financier from New York. Julia and her mother-in-law Kirsten Johannsen fussed and bustled over the table settings and arrangements. Kirsten reviewed the seating order for the guests with the serving maids one more time. Everything must be perfect. With Hiram's blessing, she had invested in some shares of the AT&SF during the war and then soon after a new venture building a bridge across the Missouri River. Now, however, he had reservations. Since Hiram had resumed control of the steamship line, there had been successes with steamboats reaching the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers, even to Dakota. Hiram was beginning to doubt the need for expansion into railroads. Julia had persuaded him to invite Pomeroy and Gould to at least listen to their ideas.
“I hope this doesn’t all blow up in our faces,” said her mother-in-law, Kirsten. “You pushed Hiram into this. We’ve always done well enough with steamboats. My husband built this business. I stood by him through all the lean times and the panic of ’57. What does a farm girl like you know of business? It’s a wonder we didn’t go bankrupt with you in charge during the war.”
Julia clenched her handkerchief, wanting to explode. Her lips tightened into a thin line. She wanted to scream that if she hadn’t taken over, Kirsten would have spent them into poverty. Instead, she replied with controlled emotion. “I push Hiram into nothing. He prays and makes up his own mind. Sometimes I offer suggestions, and he listens. Like keeping the ships neutral to prevent them from being targets for both Union and Confederate batteries in the war.”
Kirsten made a noise in her throat but did not reply. Julia smiled grimly, claiming victory, and moved on with dinner preparations.
Hiram bustled in, and Julia noticed his frown and bunched eyebrows. She saw her nervousness reflected in him. This meeting would determine whether they should invest heavily in railroads.
“Julia, dearest, is everything ready?”
“Yes, I think so. I had your mother make inquiries as to the favorite foods of Pomeroy and his wife, Martha, as well as Mr. Gould and his wife, Helen.”
“Good, good! You know how much this could mean to us.”
“Yes, I think we’re both nervous. We have a big decision here—whether to invest more or not. And whether to go in with Gould, Pomeroy, or both.”
“If you’re right about the railroads, we need partners; we haven’t the capital to do it ourselves. If railroads overtake steamships and we haven’t made allies, we could be in trouble. I’m not convinced, but I do know that these men are ruthless and powerful. Even spiteful. If they wish, they could do us great harm. They don’t need us, we need them. We are in a delicate position negotiating. Our main asset is to reduce their risk by taking it on ourselves. They will be the controlling partners. We need to be careful. They could help us or ruin us.”
“I know, it’s just that Gould has a habit of turning on his partners. Remember what he did with the Erie Railroad.”
“Yes, but it won’t help to worry about them. Instead, pray. And help Mama with the women. The wives may not write the bank drafts, but their influence on their husbands could be substantial. Both men are still newlyweds. You need to make friends with the wives.”
“I’ll do my best. But I do think we need to be in railroads, whether these men help us or not.”
Hiram grinned. “Nothing like a wife who insists on speaking her mind. Good thing you’re beautiful too,” he said, kissing her.
She smiled, enjoying his attention. “Now about that wifely influence . . .” she teased.
“Save me!” Hiram said with mock terror.
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Michael L. Ross
Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories.
He’s a retired software engineer turned author, with three children, and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of 39 years. Michael graduated from Rice University and Portland State University with degrees in German and software engineering. He was part of an MBA program at Boston University.
Michael was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas. He’s written short stories and technical articles in the past, as well as articles for the Texas Historical Society.
Across the Great Divide now has three novels in the series, "The Clouds of War", and "The Search", and the conclusion, "The Founding". "The Clouds of War" was an honorable mention for Coffee Pot Book of the Year in 2019, and an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories, along with making the Amazon top 100 paid, reviewed in Publisher's Weekly. "The Search" won Coffee Pot Cover of the Year in 2020, and Coffee Pot Silver Medal for Book of the Year in 2020, as well as short listed for the Chanticleer International Book Laramie Award.
Thank you for hosting Michael L. Ross today!
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