Leo Frank

One of the more intriguing exercises in writing historical fiction is tying seemingly unrelated events into the plot.  Such was the case of Massey and Leo Frank in Slogans: Our Children, Our Future.

In the early 1920's fear of Bolshevikism washed across America leading to the Red Scare and strong anti-immigrant feelings (Sound familiar?)  I wanted to make this threat intimate by having my protagonist a target of Wolford W. Scott's American Protective League. 

Originally founded to combat German spies, the APL turned its sights on Bolsheviks

My original draft had Massey a passive victim saved only through the efforts of others.  In the rewrite, he became an active participant in his defense.

* * *

Massey shook the contribution jar before putting it on the shelf and peered inside.  Sure enough, there were two quarters.  Maybe it’s time they knew the difference.  As he stared at the coins Massey decided to do something that would be unthinkable in Russia.  He would speak to the police.

 * * *

This still left the problem of how do these powerless immigrants successfully take on the government?  The answer was Abraham Minsker.  The banker used his influence to obtain lawyers from the Civil Liberties Union to appear at the Will County courthouse during immigrants' arraignment.  But I still needed a connection, good reason for Abraham to do it.

 * * *

The seven eyed at one another.  “But why?” Massey asked.  “Why would a group of Jew lawyers help us?”

Abraham took off his spectacles and wiped them on his vest.  “I am the president of this bank,” he said and placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose.  “A small bank to be sure, but a bank none the less.  I’m a Jew, and for too many in this country being a Jew is all that matters.  That's why I want to help you.”

“I don't understand,” Massey said.  “What does being Jewish have to do with helping us?”

“Because of Leo Frank.”  Abraham Minsker scanned the room seeking some reaction to the name and saw none.  “You do remember Leo Frank in Georgia?” 

* * *

Abraham went on to explain Leo Frank was a factory superintendent who was lynched by a mob in Merietta, Georgia, in 1915.  National newspapers attributed his murder to antisemitism and resulted in many well-established Jews realizing regardless of their status, to many they were just a Jews. 

Leo Frank lynched by a mob outside Atlanta, Georgia

But Abraham's desire for justice went deeper.

* * *

Abraham let out a sigh and clasped his fingers together.  “Gentlemen, I do not take anyone’s rights for granted and I will defend them wherever and whenever they are in danger.  What it amounts to is this: if I allow your rights to be violated, I have lost mine also.  Believe me, if certain powers in America get away with ignoring the rights of immigrants, it won't be long before they come after Jews.  All Jews, no matter their station.  This is not just your fight, it's also mine.”

* **

Memorial to Leo Frank

In the last section of this scene, I closed with dialogue from my first book, Ikons: Saint Nicholas the Wonder Worker, when Abraham and Massey first met.

* * *

Massey stopped twisting his cap and glanced down at it.  “Do you believe we have a good case?”

Abraham smiled at Massey and recalled a similar question Massey had asked many years ago.  “Yes, thanks to your little chat with the sheriff, I do,” Abraham answered.  “A very good case indeed.”

* * *

In researching the lynching of Leo Frank, I wondered how such an event could have taken place and if it could happen today.  I believe the same circumstances occur daily.  A lynch mob provides one with anonymity and the same anonymity exists on social media.  While the targets of hatred my not be strung up from a tree, the internet mob has no qualms about destroying their reputations and livelihood.  Woe be those who stray beyond the boundary of accepted behavior, regardless of which side of boundary the mob may reside.