A Home for David Sullivan

By Billie Conner

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465389640

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Copyright © 2011 by Billie Conner.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011960119

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4653-8963-3

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4653-8962-6

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-8964-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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107084

CONTENTS

PART ONE David Sullivan

PART TWO Wheeling—Gateway to the Ohio

PART THREE Dinner at the Clarion

PART FOUR The Baroness Addresses the Convention

PART FIVE Sean O’Connor and Felicity O’Brian

EPILOGUE

A HOME FOR DAVID SULLIVAN

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A Novel of the Northwestern Virginia Panhandle, 1800-1865

BOOK 3

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David Sullivan, age twenty-four

CAST OF CHARACTERS

NATHANIEL NATHAN WOLDE—Adopted son of Ethan and Sarah Wolde. Farmer/preacher, husband of Mary Catherine Collingsworth. Parents killed in Indian wars. Adopted by Ethan and Sarah Wolde.

MARY CATHERINE COLLINGSWORTH—Born out of wedlock, daughter of Baron Robert MacTavish, Scotland, and Judith Conaway. Raised by Maddie (Judith’s sister) and Clarence Collingsworth as their own child. Married Nathaniel Wolde. Mother of five children. Stepsister of Ian MacTavish.

ROY, RALEIGH RILEY, MARTHA, SARAH, LUCY WOLDE—Children of Nathan and Mary Catherine Wolde

ETHAN WOLDE—Former British soldier, released from service due to severe wounds. Husband of Sarah. Adopted Nathan in Pittsburg at age six.

SARAH WOLDE—Hospital nurse in Philadelphia. Tended to wounded Ethan Wolde, then later married him.

CLARENCE COLLINGSWORTH—Metal worker/machinist/blacksmith, husband of Maddie, foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually her uncle.

MADDIE COLLINGSWORTH—Wife of Clarence, sister of Judith Conaway, foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually her aunt.

JUDITH CONAWAY—Sister of Maddie, mistress of Baron Robert MacTavish, mother of Mary Catherine.

BARON ROBERT MACTAVISH—Son of Augustus MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, companion of Judith Conaway, father of Mary Catherine Wolde, father of Ian MacTavish.

ANN LEIGH MACTAVISH—Wife of Robert MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, mother of Ian MacTavish, died following childbirth.

SYLVESTER ROTHCHILD—Solicitor in New York City, employed by MacTavish Ltd., Dundee, Scotland.

LAWRENCE ROTHCHILD—Grandson of Sylvester

ALBERT SAWYER—Former captain of China clipper ship. Retired from sea. Married to Martha. Captain of steamboat on Monongahela. Owns commercial warehouse, partner with Nathan in real estate venture.

MARTHA SAWYER—Wife of Albert. Schoolteacher, godmother of Martha Wolde. Mary Catherine’s dearest friend.

JOSEPH JOE AND LUCY WINTERS—Migrated from New Jersey to Ohio. Lost all possessions when tornado hit barge carrying wagon down the Ohio River. Came to live with Nathan on farm. Joe was killed in accident while cutting timber. Lucy later married Patrick O’Connor.

PATRICK O’CONNOR—Irish immigrant who lost wife to influenza. Met Nathan who allowed him and family to come and live in old home place in return for help on the farm. Father of Sean, Michael, and Megan.

LUCY O’CONNOR—Widow of Joseph Winters who was killed in accident cutting timber. Married Patrick.

SEAN, MICHAEL, AND MEGAN O’CONNOR—Children of Patrick O’Connor

JAMES MARSDEN—Vice president for Construction, B & O Railroad. Currently involved with extending B & O tracks through Fairmont to Wheeling. Hired Sean O’Connor whom he planned to train to become his assistant.

IAN MACTAVISH—Son of Baron Robert MacTavish, stepbrother of Mary Catherine Wolde, mentor of his nephew, Charles Raleigh Wolde.

THOMAS PATRICK—Warehouse manager for MacTavish Ltd. in NYC

HANS AND INGA WILHELM—Longtime members of the household staff and the MacTavish estate in Scotland who traveled with Ian when he came to America

CAPTAIN THOMAS STUART—Captain of the clipper ship, Catherine Ross, owned by MacTavish Ltd.

DAVID SULLIVAN—Nephew of Lawrence Rothchild. Came to territory to seek his fortune. Lived briefly with the Woldes. Business partners with family and extended family.

WILLIAM C. WILLEY—Sixth District congressman

JANIE WILLEY—Wife of William

C. J. WILLEY—Father of William

GEORGE GRAY—Owner of Feed and Seed Store, Grant Town.

FRANCES H. PIERPONT—Chairman, Board of Delegates, Wheeling, Virginia.

JOHN WILSON SR.—Banker and mine owner

ELIZABETH WILSON—Wife of John, DuPont heiress from Eastern Shore, Maryland.

JOHN WILSON JR—Son of John Senior and Elizabeth. Partner of David Sullivan. West Point Graduate. Degree in engineering.

TOM LEWIS—Warehouse manager for Albert Sawyer

JENNY LEWIS—Wife of Tom

ARTHUR STANLEY—Big lumberman and sawmill operator in Valley Falls, Barrackville, and Mannington. Eventually merged with Roy and Michael’s construction company.

SAM JENSEN—John Wilson’s attorney

ED BARLOW—Head teller in John Wilson’s bank

WILFORD BOB JAMESON—Publisher of weekly newspaper

BESSIE JENKINS—Owner of boarding house and restaurant, Barrackville, on Buffalo Creek.

LEWELLYN LEW SMYTHE—Head of construction company owned by Roy Wolde and Michael O’Connor.

PART ONE

David Sullivan

Reverend Wolde lay awake with his thoughts long after his wife had fallen asleep. He had always made it clear to everyone that he liked his life to be one of his own making, and any changes thereto upset him greatly. But now, he thought, I must be losing my grip on it because other people somehow manage to involve me in their lives, and I’m asked to make decisions I’m not sure I want to make. To be fair, though, I’ll admit I’ve stirred up a few things lately that caused people to be put into a similar position.

I guess you could say Mary Catherine’s farm is a fine example of me meddling with other people’s lives, but it worked out all right, didn’t it? That ought to count for something. Well, I got them people off the riverbank and into a fine house. Them men agreed to work our farm on shares, so that helped me and Patrick and Roy too. George Gray made a little money on the deal, and our real estate company made some too. Mary Catherine’s satisfied, and Roy says them people are happy as larks. The boys still don’t have anybody to cut timber, but that could prove to be a good thing too.

Would I be happy if I found out somebody had manipulated my life that way? Nathan wondered. No, probably not, he decided. And while I’m lying here confessing my misdeeds, I may as well say I’m the one who caused Roy and Michael to get all enthused with cutting timber and making a lot of money. I told my son I wanted him to manage our farm so I’d have time to work for the senator, and he said he couldn’t run it the way me and Patrick had done it. I agree that we had to sell the livestock because there was not enough help to raise the crops to feed them. It just rankles me he was able to do it so quickly. It seemed he’d finally closed his eyes when—

Nathan, wake up! Mary Catherine said. You’ve got to take the children to school.

Nathan climbed down off Flame and tied his reins to Albert’s hitching rail. He yawned, stretched mightily, walked to open the warehouse door to find, he hoped, coffee. Albert, surprised to see him, welcomed him by saying he looked as though he’d been run over by one of B & O’s trains.

Albert, I’m tired, sleepy, don’t need no funny comments, and desperate for some coffee. I’m not out of sorts with you, brother, I’m upset with myself because of what I forgot to tell you yesterday. Before I forget it again, I need you to see James Marsden and tell him I’d like to borrow his carriage Wednesday, to use for our trip to Wheeling. Regretfully, I cannot stay long, so please, if you want to save my life, go get the coffee.

That’s no problem, Nathan, I can do that, but something else must be bothering you. What is it that has you so tore up? You just sit down there and relax. I’ll get the coffee.

Roy told me last night he and Michael are supposed to go see John Wilson Saturday morning and sign some papers. Lawrence Rothchild arranged with John to extend them a fifty-thousand-dollar line of credit. I could hardly keep my mouth closed when I heard that news. And another thing he happened to mention is, Sean’s trying to find out what happened to all the men the railroad has been using to clear the right of way for the track layers. Roy thinks they might be a good prospect to come and cut timber for him.

Well, you’ve got to give ’em credit, Nathan, they’ve worked awful hard on this, and it don’t sound like they have given up yet.

Has Roy ever talked to you about tents, Albert? Nathan asked.

Nope, and what’s tents got to do with anything? Albert replied.

According to what Roy told me, they’ve got everything to do with it. Somehow they got hold of a catalog from an army surplus supply depot, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and there are all kinds of surplus tents in it that are for sale. They figured out that tents could be used to house all the workers, and listen to this, the tents would be set up on a kind of sled, so they can be moved around. Can you believe that, Albert?

They’ve got me beat, Nathan, I’d have never thought of doing that. Sounds like a good idea, though.

Well, brother, I’m beat too, and I just happened to remember I’m supposed to see Bob Jameson about getting a sign made for my wife. She wants one made, so she can hang it on her gate down at the farm. She gave me specific instructions that she wants one that won’t fade from the weather or get covered with rust. I haven’t figured out exactly how that’s gonna work out.

Albert had a sudden thought. Why don’t you let me take care of that for you, brother? Either Tom or myself usually goes through Palatine once or twice a week, and I have a friend that works at the McCormick Machine Works down there. I could get him to burn one on a piece of metal, and then he’d paint it with some of that special kind of paint they use on their machinery, which would keep it from rusting. What does she want it to say?

"That would be great if you would do that, Albert. She just wants the word Thunderstorm put on it."

Well, after the money we made off that sale, I guess the Marion County Real Estate Company can afford to do that for her.

I don’t know if she’s going to stand for that or not, Albert. She’s gotten awfully independent lately. I’d better get on the road. My breakfast ran out a long time ago, and it don’t look like you’re gonna offer me anything to eat.

Nathan had just mounted his horse when he realized he had the deed George Gray had given him in his pocket and thought he might as well take it on down to Sam Jensen’s office. He could take the Fairview Pike on the way home, go up it a ways, and cut across to Grant Town on that shortcut Patrick had told him about.

When he got to the courthouse, he walked down the hall to Sam’s office and found it empty. Not wanting to make the ride for nothing, he went next door to the clerk’s office and asked Alice if she knew the whereabouts of Mr. Jensen.

Sam’s in court, she told him and said he would probably be there for the rest of the afternoon. Is there something I can do for you, Reverend Wolde? she asked. I’ll be glad to help you if I can.

Why not leave the deed with her? he thought. Yes, ma’am, I believe there is, and I thank you for your offer.

Alice wrote down all the instructions Nathan had for Sam on a piece of paper, then put her notes and the deed in an envelope, wrote Sam’s name on it, looked at Nathan, and said, Reverend Wolde, I’m going to put this right in the middle of Sam’s desk, but just in case he doesn’t see it, I’ll remind him in the morning when he comes in. Nathan thanked Alice for her help and went outside, climbed aboard his horse, and headed for home.

Sometime later, as he rode along Patrick’s shortcut, Nathan realized he was passing by what appeared to be a well-tended farm and could see a large number of cattle moving around in the field below him. He also noted the fencing and thought that someone spent a lot of time and money on this place and wondered whose was it. George probably knows, but I’ll leave that for another day.

Nathan got home just as the sun was setting and rode on past his house to the barn to take care of his horse. After he finished with that, he found himself wondering if he’d enough energy left to walk back up the hill. He walked into the house, hugged his three daughters and inquired about their day at school, then went into the kitchen and kissed his wife, who frowned at him with a questioning look in her eyes, but said supper would be ready in about half an hour. Nathan had noticed that the door to Roy’s bedroom was closed, so he asked, Where’s Roy?

Nathan, I have no idea what’s going on, but he and Michael have been shut up in his room ever since they got home from school. He did take enough time to tell me that tomorrow afternoon, when Patrick comes to pick them up at school, he’s going to tie Smoke to the tailgate and bring Roy’s saddle. Roy is going to ride by my farm and see how things are going. I’ve not talked to him since. How’s your day been? she asked.

It’s been a rather long day, Mary Catherine, but thankfully, everything went well. We’ll talk about it later. Right now, I intend to find out what those boys are up to.

Nathan opened the bedroom door and walked in, finding both boys behind the desk, looking at what appeared to be a letter. That’s Roy’s letter from Lawrence Rothchild, he thought.

Well, boys, tell me, how’s school these days? Nathan asked.

Well, Pa, Roy said, I’m still struggling, but I’m learning a little too. We have this new English teacher from Pennsylvania, and he keeps trying awful hard to teach us to talk the way they do up there, real proper, and everything, but I think we’re all gaining a little on him ’cause he’s beginning to talk just like we do. Math is a whole lot harder this year, but I’m doing all right. Michael’s a big help too. I still haven’t figured out how he got to be so all-fired smart.

Uncle Nathan, Roy is just as smart as I am, maybe even a little smarter. He likes to put on this act that fools a lot of people, and they misjudge his cleverness too, most times to their sorrow. I can’t wait till Saturday and see how old Roy makes out with John Wilson.

Michael, stop giving away my secrets. I’m just a poor lad from the mountains, and everybody picks on me, Roy responded.

You see, Uncle Nathan, said Michael, laughing, he’s doing it right now.

Michael, Nathan said, I can’t take credit for any of that, it’s your pa who’s ruint him. Patrick O’Connor can slip a paper dollar out of a poor man’s hand while shaking it, and the poor feller never knew what happened. He can talk a possum out of a tree with six hound dogs all running around the bottom of it, barking, here comes supper.

Uncle Nathan, you know I got that letter from Sean. Well, he and Mr. Marsden are living in a tent at Valley Falls. He said Mr. Marsden had to go back to Grafton this weekend but would ride the train. Sean’s going to use his horses and carriage and meet me and Roy at the bank Saturday morning. Isn’t that great? He’s going to spend Saturday night at home with us and go back to work Sunday afternoon.

That’s wonderful news, Michael. I look forward to seeing him and finding out how he’s liking work. Roy, did Lawrence Rothchild have anything interesting so say in his letter?

Yeah, Pa, he did, Roy replied. He’s sending the son of one of his Jewish friends down here to see if we can give him a job.

Son, I’m sure there’s much more to it than that. Lawrence may be our lawyer, but he’s also a good friend too.

That’s all true, Pa, I just got to think on it a little.

Uncle Nathan, Mr. Rothchild said this man has plenty of money, and he’s been to college too. I think that counts for something, and I believe he’d be worth talking to, Michael said.

How about it, Roy? his father said. That sounds pretty good to me. What’s got you so puzzled about the man?

Pa, I can’t help but wonder why anyone would want to change their name from the one he was born with. I don’t believe I’d have any problem working with someone of his faith, and I’d kinda like an explanation.

Roy, I’m proud you think that way. A man’s religion ought to be his own business, and nobody else’s, but I’m afraid all the people in our territory would not be as accommodating as you are. Look how poorly the Irish workers were treated.

Pa, you’re right, as usual. Me and Michael have spent a lot of time trying to come with a way to handle the logs after they’ve been cut and ready for sawing. We must have gone over this a hundred times, and we always keep coming up with the same answer. We need a sawmill close at hand to the timber cutters. Problem is, we just don’t see any way to do this, and neither one of us really wants to get involved in this end of the business anyway.

Nathan was taken by a fit of coughing, so much so, he wound up with tears running down his face, both boys looking at him with concern on their faces.

I’m all right, boys. Let me get my wind back, he whispered, and paused for a few moments. What else did Lawrence have to say about this man, Roy? He must have told you something other than just about his religion.

Well, yes he did, Pa, he said David, that’s his name, David Sullivan. As a matter of fact, he had worked somewhere down here at a sawmill for a while.

Maybe that’s an answer to your problem, boys. The man’s got money, and he’s worked at a sawmill. Don’t that make him worth talking to?

Pa, I’ll admit it, you’re probably right again. We’ll just have to wait and see him. Probably some little runt, can’t even lift his own weight.

Roy, Roy, listen to me a minute, Michael exclaimed. We know the man’s got money, knows something about a sawmill, and you think he’s little. Roy, we can handle that. Wonder when he’s gonna get here.

Nathan got up and walked out to join his wife, feeling pretty good about himself. He thought he’d cheered the boys up, and now all he had to do was feed Mr. Sullivan and give him a place to sleep. After they’d gone to bed, lying there, both wide awake, Nathan told his wife about David Sullivan.

Nathan, if Lawrence says that young man’s all right, then I’m sure he is, and it might be nice to have someone in Riley’s bedroom. It depresses me a lot every time I go in there and find it empty. Did Lawrence say when we might expect to see him?

No, he didn’t, Mary Catherine, but I looked at the date Lawrence put on his letter, and it’s been almost a week and a half since he wrote it. But who’s to say when he mailed it? I have a feeling we’ll see Mr. David Sullivan any day now. Say, I hadn’t thought about this, but I’m sure he’s coming by train, and he can ride it all the way to Valley Falls now. Maybe Sean will know something about the schedules, and that reminds me of something else. Did Roy or Michael either one tell you Sean’s coming home Saturday and spending the night?

No, they most certainly did not, Nathan, and I’m going to have something to say to them about that. That’s good news to hear, though, she replied. I better go ahead and get Riley’s bedroom ready for Mr. Sullivan, but that don’t mean my son can’t come back and claim if for himself. Oh, Nathan, I never thought about it this way a while ago.

Roy got home from school later than usual on Tuesday since he had stopped by to see the men at his mother’s farm. His father happened to see him ride up to the porch and tie Storm to the rail, and this caused Nathan to smile because he knew what his son had on his mind. He’d give his mother the news about the farm but left himself a good excuse to ride down the hill to the barn, where Nathan was sure he’d find Megan.

Momma, you wouldn’t believe all the work them men have done, and the women too. They’re all in there, cleaning the house just like you said they’d to. Randall and Jack, that’s Gilbert’s son, are cutting fence posts while James and Ray are digging holes for them. Wait till I tell you what they found.

James said he walked around to the other end of the barn and saw a door with a hasp and a lock. He busted the lock with something, and when he looked inside the room, there were all sorts of tools in there. And get this, he found the other water pump too. But that ain’t all he found, there was also two small kegs of black powder. James figured old man Sunderstrum used that stuff to blast out the stumps in that big field over the hill.

"Roy, when me and Patrick rode up there and looked down that valley, the first thing I thought was, where’s the stumps? I’ll