Jim Wetton - LIZZY: Through Tragedy She Found Triumph

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters and events in
this book are the products of the authors imagination or are used
fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is coincidental
and not intended by the author.

LIZZY: Through Tragedy She Found Triumph

Published by Gatekeeper Press
2167 Stringtown Rd, Suite 109
Columbus, OH 43123-2989
www.GatekeeperPress.com

Copyright 2019 by Jim Wetton

Illustrations by Gary D. Bratton

All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be
sold or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical
means, including information storage and retrieval systems without
permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a
reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

ISBN (hardcover): 9781642375039
ISBN (paperback): 9781642375022
eISBN: 9781642375015

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019931357

Printed in the United States of America

Dedicated
To
Carol

And to all the special women in our lives.

Millie Elizabeth Monroe McKeever

Contents

LIZZY

THROUGH TRAGEDY SHE FOUND TRIUMPH

A womans search for equality is ignited by a diary. The words from a great-grandmother launch her into a quest to make right what her female ancestors considered wrong and unjust. Many women fought hard for the freedom of representation; this woman gave up much more than most, and yet through it all, she was triumphant. The third novel in the Monroe series follows Lizzy and her family from a day of mourning to a day of jubilation.

Questions to be answered throughout the novel: How much can she endure to honor her great-grandmothers plea? Only Lizzy will be able to answer the second question: Was it all worth it?

MILLIE ELIZABETH MONROE MCKEEVER (LIZZY)

Thrown into womanhood at the early age of nine, she takes on the role of mother to a house full of men. Always working for a cause, from the Underground Railroad to her future endeavors, Lizzy never lets anything slow her from achieving what the Monroe women stand for. Now, Lizzy accepts a dear relatives calling found in the words written in a diary discovered deep inside a cedar chest. Most would call it an insurmountable challenge, but Lizzy will not give up. She will follow her family and her family will follow her, but at what cost?

MARTIN MCKEEVER

To fall in love with Lizzy Monroe meant to follow Lizzy Monroe. Martins desire to follow his own dreams has been supported by his loving wife. In the long run, how much pain will she be able to endure?

GREAT-GRANDMOTHER HANNAH MONROE

A woman for all women. A few centuries ahead of her time, but she is determined to see it to the very end, even if its through the heart and stamina of her great-granddaughter. She places her faith in the bottom of a hope chest where she prays that a Monroe woman will someday find her writings. The words she writes inspire many, especially her great-granddaughter, but will her wish ever become a reality?

WILLIAM FESTER MCKEEVER

The eldest of Lizzys children. He begins as a loving child and matures to become like most men of that era, believing the place for women is in the kitchen and pregnant. Nothing could ever change the minds of these men and especially not his. Three thousand miles it will take to soften his skin, but in the end, his remorse and transformation may come too late.

CAROLINE WHITE MCKEEVER

A West Coast progressive, she joins in with the California cause for womens rights just to be stamped out by a domineering and traditionalist husband. Reaching out for help, soon her two boys are reunited with their grandmother and her husband begins to yield. Dreams of joining her mother-in-law and her family on the East Coast come so close to reality. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has a different point of view. As she overcomes an emotional riptide, she becomes involved with her mother-in-laws quest and ventures overseas to gain traction, only to find tragedy.

JAMES MCKEEVER

Always the second son, the smaller child. He is emancipated when his older brother goes west and his greatest desire is to follow in his fathers footsteps and to make him proud. They become partners until someone has a difference of opinion. Engaged to be married, James works endlessly to make a career that his fiance and his father would be proud of, only to find out on a dim night that those plans may have to change.

MARY ELIZABETH MCKEEVER

Lizzys right-hand gal. Always the first to come and the last to go. Her dedication is always for the cause and her sacrifice is her own life which would never come, that of a wife and mother.

NELLIE ABIGAIL MCKEEVER MONROE

Whoa, Nellie.... Playing second to her older and wiser sister, Nellie becomes Lizzys confidante, supporter, and at times, hugger. She raises a family that Lizzy couldnt have been prouder of. Daughter and mother; destined to change the world. She would be the one to help Lizzy fulfill a promise made to a family member, even at a gut-wrenching cost that would fill a lake full of tears.

HENRY MONROE

A name from the past. A distant relative who, unbeknownst to anyone, reappears in the family tree as a husband and a loving father.

HANNAH ELIZABETH MONROE

The eldest of Lizzys grandchildren, she will evolve into a loving wife who will follow her husband to the ends of the world. While she realizes the need to change her destiny, she knows of no other place but home. It is this home that is the setting for what may be the worst decision of her life.

BONNIE LOUISE MONROE

Second in line to her older sister, Hannah, Bonnie is stubborn. She lives for the times at hand no matter what others may think. But in the end, she is all about family and it is her firm hand that helps change history.

THEODORE ALLAN MONROE

Adventurous, cantankerous and a boy eager to become a man, he makes his father proud by enlisting and may live to see his own generation carry on the Monroe name.

NANCY LEE MONROE

The youngest of the Monroe clan. Shed just as soon give up her life for any cause. She maintains her belief that her grandmothers cause was just the beginning, and her cause is yet to be determined. Too young to vote, she wont be denied the right to be by her mothers side and on the side of all women.

ADELINE FOSTER

A child when her father tragically leaves her. A young woman when she is accepted into the Monroe family. A Monroe when she lovingly finds a family which she accepts as her own.

TEDDY ROOSEVELT

A bully of a soldier, a progressive as a president, but more so, a true friend when he is really needed. Lizzys relationship with him grows close as does their trust in each other. To her children, he is Uncle Teddy, but to Lizzy he is just TR.

EDITH GALT WILSON

A family friend, confidante and pseudo sister, she becomes just as much a part of the family as if she carried their own blood in her. By their side through tragedy after tragedy, it is fate that will eventually place her in the role as a presidents wife. What better place to help Lizzy put her final stamp into her Hannahs request?