Historical Fiction Research: The Making of "Raven's Curse" in 1890s Texas

My Research Adventure Through the Late 19th Century!

As I delve deeper into the world of "Raven's Curse" and the journey of Susanna Calhoun, I wanted to share a little about the research that has shaped this story set in the rugged landscapes of West Texas and the burgeoning possibilities of the late 19th century. Susanna's experiences, as a socially aware neurodivergent woman navigating a world often ill-equipped to understand her, required exploring some fascinating facets of the era. Come along as I pull back the curtain on a few key areas that informed the creation of Singing Springs and Fort Springs (inspired by the historic Fort Davis).

Navigating Social Graces:

For Susanna, the intricate dance of Charleston's high society presents a constant challenge. To understand the expected behaviors and unspoken rules she grapples with, she refers to etiquette manuals of the time. One invaluable resource was The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley, available through Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35123/35123-h/35123-h.htm. These guides offer a fascinating glimpse into the societal expectations and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways individuals were judged. Understanding this framework was crucial to illustrating Susanna's efforts to conform and the internal strain it caused.

Agnes Wergeland and Miss Andersen

A Discreet Hobby: The Stirn Concealed Vest Camera:

Susanna's "hobby" of photography, particularly using a concealed vest camera, allowed me to explore both her keen observational skills and the burgeoning world of amateur photography in the 1890s. The Stirn Concealed Vest Camera, as detailed on Camera-wiki.org (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Stirn_Concealed_Vest_Camera), offered a unique way for her to document her surroundings discreetly.  

Interestingly, this type of camera was indeed used by individuals in the 1890s for candid photography. One Norwegian college student in this time period, named Fredrik Carl Mülertz Størmer, who later became a renowned mathematician and astrophysicist, took many candid street photos with his Stirn camera. His work provides a fascinating glimpse into everyday life at the time, much like Susanna might have been observing her own world.

Additionally, browsing through catalogs like this 1891 Scovill & Adams one (https://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1891scovill&adams.jan.1891.lp1144.htm) provided insight into the types of cameras available and the growing popularity of this technology.

The Journey Westward: Following the Iron Rails:

Susanna's flight westward is a pivotal part of the story. To trace her potential routes and understand the realities of travel during that era, historical train route maps are invaluable. While the specific map I consulted is part of a larger collection (www.loc.gov/item/gm71000843/), exploring similar maps helps visualize the distances, the key railway lines, and the connections between the East Coast and the rugged West. The journey itself would have been an experience, especially in the…

Comfort on the Rails: The Pullman Sleeper Car:

For a woman of Susanna's background, the Pullman sleeper car would have offered a degree of comfort and privacy during her long journey. Resources like the RailsWest page (https://www.railswest.com/technology/pullman.html) and historical photos, such as the one shared on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=669191602075369&id=100069536050770&set=a.669193252075204), paint a picture of the accommodations, the social dynamics within these cars, and the level of luxury they provided.

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Finding Inspiration in the Lone Star State: Fort Davis and Fort Stockton:

The stark beauty and history of Fort Davis, Texas, as well as Fort Stockton, served as the primary inspiration for my fictional Fort Springs and the surrounding landscape of Singing Springs. Exploring the National Park Service website (https://www.nps.gov/foda/index.htm) and the Western National Parks Association page (https://wnpa.org/discover_parks/fort-davis/) allowed me to understand the layout of a frontier fort, the architectural styles, the geographical features of the Davis Mountains, and the general atmosphere of this unique region in West Texas. While Fort Springs is a fictional creation, its spirit and setting are deeply rooted in the reality of Fort Davis.

The Realities of Home Medical Care:

In a time before readily accessible modern medicine, understanding home medical practices, especially concerning pregnancy and childbirth, was crucial. For this aspect of Susanna's journey and the experiences of other characters, I delved into guides like Gunn's Domestic Medicine: A Facsimile of the 1876 Edition (https://archive.org/details/gunnsdomesticmed00gunn/page/n11/mode/2up). These resources offer a fascinating, and sometimes stark, look at the knowledge and remedies available at the time, providing context for the challenges and uncertainties surrounding pregnancy and healthcare in the late 19th century. Understanding these practices helped me portray the realities faced by women like Susanna in a more authentic way.

This is just a small glimpse into the research that helped bring "Raven's Curse" to life. Each detail, from the societal constraints to the mode of travel and the evocative setting, has been carefully considered to create a believable and immersive experience for the reader. I hope you've enjoyed this peek behind the scenes! 

Stay tuned for more updates on Susanna's journey.

Christine Tellach

Image Attributions:

• 1890 Matthews, Northrup & Co. map of the United States, Dominion of Canada, and Mexico (cropped by Jennifer Tillock from the original), from the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division (www.loc.gov/item/gm71000843/).
• Agnes Wergeland and Miss Andersen by Fredrik Carl Mülertz Størmer, courtesy of Norsk Teknisk Museum, is licensed under CC BY 4.0. The original can be found here: Digital Museum
• Fort Davis National Historic Site, Texas 09, cropped by Jennifer Tillock, from an original by John Cummings, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons