Florida Writers Association

The story begins in 1883 at the height of the Golden Years of Amelia Island, Florida. Civil War reconstruction and growth from the influx of carpetbaggers have brought wealth, and completion of the railroad has eased the way for beauty as well - in the form of Katie Eppes. The dark-haired woman is newlywed to one of the town's dashing young conductors of the Transit Road Railroad, T. J. "Jeff" Eppes, a great-great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. Katie immediately sets tongues wagging. Creating social havoc with her everyday zest for life, she willfully disregards dress etiquette and goes about as she pleases, mostly alone, since T. J.'s job often keeps him out of town, much to her displeasure. This unfortunate situation culminates in the murder on February 7, 1884, by T. J., of a longtime friend, Ferdinand Suhrer, due to a supposed indiscretion committed against Katie by Mr. Suhrer. He was a husband and father of six children, president of the city council and former officer of many public offices, federal, state and municipal alike. The town explodes in an uproar. The trial, originally slated for spring session of the circuit court, has been ordered for a change of venue to Jacksonville and on May 27, 1884 after several hours discussion and exhausting a special panel of seventy-five jurors and a regular panel the trial begins.