As we started the trip we were listening to an audiobook called The Furious Hours. It’s the story of a trial in Alabama about a man who had shot and killed a Reverend in front of hundreds of witnesses.
This Reverend had been accused and never convicted of killing 4 of his family members for insurance money.These killings had occurred over a number of years.
Harper Lee heard about this trail and followed d it exhaustively as preparation for her next novel after To Kill A mockingbird . The book has numerous elements in it, a biography of Harper Lee, a partial biography of Truman Capote,a biography of the lawyer who defended The Reverend, and the man who shot the Reverend.Along with other stories
We had wanted to see Harpers hometown when we were down here and the audiobook added to it. Her father was a lawyer in Monroeville and in the 30’s when she was growing up this was a quintessential small Alabama town.
Her house no longer exists,replaced by a ice cream shop.What was disappointing was there is not even a marker. Truman Capote was raised part time next door to Harper. They were good friends and started writing together as children. When he was working on “In Cold Blood” , she did extensive and critical interviews and research for him.
Pretty amazing to have two talents like that growing up together!
Remember the character Boo Radley In to kill a mockingbird? He was the recluse all the kids were so scared of.
He as probably based on a guy who lived in town,Alfred Boudware, This is his grave.
Today was a driving day from Montgomery to Tallahassee Florida.We did visit a nature preserve on the coast of Florida south of Tallahassee called St Marks Nature Preserve.
As Charles Kuralt would do on his CBS Sunday Morning show, we’ll leave you with the nature preserve.
Until Then,
Paul
Pau's Travels 