Absolution: A Bald Knobber Saga

by Vonda Wilson Sheets, Larry G. Howe (Design)

Taney County, located in southern Missouri on the Arkansas state line was rough country with rolling limestone hills and ridges. It was covered with trees, underbrush and rife with steep rocky cavernous ravines. Cool clear springs and creeks flowed out of these ravines and valleys and into the White River. During the Civil War and for many years after, outlaws took refuge there. The county government was in disarray, and nearly all crimes committed were totally ignored. After the Civil War, there was a land rush as the federal government expanded the Homestead Act. Families moved here from other parts of the country and acquired property. The locals, at first, considered them "outsiders" for they had no right, in their eyes, to tell them how they should live their lives. Some of the "newcomers" came from large cities and "civilized society" and they were astounded that this area, called God's Country by the natives, had virtually no judicial system. Many of the newcomers and, even those who had lived here for many years, were hoping for change. The event that sparked that change was the murder of a businessman, by the name of Jim Everett, and the subsequent trial in which his killer was acquitted. This unjust event spawned a vigilante band of night riders made up, initially, of notable men; attorneys, merchants, lawmen, and landowners. Stories were published in national newspapers and the group became notorious. Things, however, did not turn out as expected. This story takes place between 1883 and 1891. It is eight years of brutality and corruption that, to this day, remains burned into the memories of the people of southern Missouri. But this is not just about the Bald Knobbers. It is about the people and the land, life and death during hard uncertain times, families and their children, grandfathers and grandmothers, resistance and submission, hate and love, seasons and rural life in southern Missouri during the last part of the 19th century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

536 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2012

About the author

I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, with relatives all over southwest MO and northern AR. My parents taught me early to enjoy and respect history, and I hope I've passed that onto our children.
Writing has always been a necessary act for me. History and genealogy have always been loves of mine. It was only a matter of time before I sat down to write about my people, my area, my cultural background.
As a hearing-impaired person, reading and writing are both vital forms of communication. I am an avid reader and fan of many writers, but I enjoy historical fiction the most, of course.

Reviews

[Sara Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book after seeing a copy of it sitting in the Branson Centennial Museum. We just came back from a trip to Branson and I was really interested in the history of the area. This book was a really good read and well researched.

I only gave it 4 stars though due to a few things that seemed out of place and were never explained further. The majority of the book was excellent though!

[Georgia Klay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book! A excellent history of an earlier Missouri and the events that took place at that time. The author has done her research and is knowledgable about the area and the people who lived there. It made the hills and hollers and the folks who lived there seem very real. I'm looking forward to more of her writing!

[Edee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and helping you relate to each diverse person in the story. I savored each page and look forward to reading more books written by her.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read about a very violent period in the history of Taney, Christian and Stone Counties, Missouri. There were times I forgot that this was a historical fiction. It was very hard to put down.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of the Baldknobbers and the people of Southern Missouri during the difficult time when they terrorized Taney county. Well researched and entertaining.