Book Reviews

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Chapter 28 of Fine Line is Hoosier Flying Squadrons. Fine Line is the sequel to Woodcutter’s Revival. Both historical fiction books, written by Jerry Slauter are set at the beginning of the final segment of the Industrial Revolution.

Irony adds interest to historical fiction stories. Irony is particularly interesting when fact is more intriguing than fiction or when ironic events transpire in the creation of the story. In creating the story, the chapter already had reference to prohibition and an actual flying squadron. The author was aware that: Warren County was a dry county due to prohibition; Governor Frank Hanly, who signed the Local Options Law into effect in 1908, came from there; and, Vernon Burge lived there. Burge was the first American enlisted man to be certified as a military pilot.

All these elements were already written into the story. Then one day the author was visiting a local antique store. Anticipating a significant find, the author went to the third floor to look through some old books. The books were scattered randomly on shelves and on tables. Most of the outside spines could not be read due to wear or the lighting. One book lying on the table, the first book the author actually picked-up to peruse, was entitled, “Speeches of the Flying Squadron.”

Thinking it might offer something about early flying, the author picked it up to look through it. To his amazement, the book was written by Frank Hanly. It was also published in Indiana and contained the story behind and the speeches of The Flying Squadron. The Flying Squadron was the name of the group Hanly formed to launch his presidential campaign for the Prohibition Party in 1916. What a coincidence! (if you believe in that sort of thing)

The following is an excerpt from Hoosier Flying Squadrons:

Another development also began in Indiana. J. Frank Hanly, former Indiana governor from Williamsport was writing letters. From his home in Lafayette he wrote to some close personal political, educational and church friends and associates. He was testing the waters to determine if these people were interested in building a coalition. The coalition was to abolish the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol through an amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Hanly was attacking the liquor issue and comparing it to the abolition of the slaves.

Hanly had been successful in passing a local options form of prohibition while governor in Indiana. The law allowed counties in Indiana to determine if they were to be “dry” or “wet.” Hanly was proud that eighty-eight out of ninety-six counties chose to go dry or prohibit the sale of alcohol. He looked at the state map and determined that rural counties were more moral since the counties that allowed the production, sales and consumption of alcohol were the larger urban centers.

Discover how these elements of fact and fiction are woven together to produce Hoosier Flying Squadrons. Find how the lives of certain characters are affected by these historical events that impacted lives beyond the scope the book, Fine Line.

Woodcutter’s Revival is available to read now. Fine Line will be available in late 2014.

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Find all of Jerry Slauter’s FaithWriters articles.

About the Author:

Jerry is a retired school teacher who loves to spend time with his family, including children and grandchildren. He published Woodcutter’s Revival in 2012 and plans to release the sequel, Fine Line, in 2014. He likes to travel and speak about writing and the topics of his writing and research. He works in his wood, leather and metal shops at home. Writing aligns well with his passion of reading and research. Jerry is available to speak in schools and churches or conferences and seminars.

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