A Novel in the works - ИiGGer, Kansas... Population 0 (rise/fall of a town settled by Blacks after the Civil War)
-- fled across the sprawling plains to the hills, strewing their belongings behind. All they could carry; all they could drag. The livestock that was not slaughtered by the marauders ran wild and frightened scattering in every direction away from the burning town and farms. Only dreams were left. But those lofty visions too were perishing in the kerosene aided flames. A hooded horseman threw a rope over the proud sign gracing the arch over Front Street. After several tugs, it dragged behind him attached to the saddle of his charging horse. A henchman sat down his bounty of whiskey cases, signaling frantically for the horseman to stop. The rider complied by reining his horse to a rearing stop. Another raider advanced carrying a burning piece of the wooden sidewalk. "Gonna give this here town a proper name" he drawled looking at Charlie Whittler's handicraft, the sign bearing the words 'New Freedom, Kansas Population 177'. A line was drawn through 'New Freedom' and scratched above it were the letters 'ИiGGer'. Another line was drawn through '177', written above it was '0'. "Think they're coming back?" ---