The Great Halifax Explosion: A Harbor Pilot’s Job

By Terrie Todd

Before researching my novel set during the Halifax Explosion, if you’d asked me what a “harbor pilot” does, I might have taken a stab at it. Like an air traffic controller for boats? Maybe from a helicopter?

Not quite.

Harbor piloting is a career that depends on where and how you were raised. Most pilots grew up on and around boats. They know their local harbor like they know their own mother’s face. They understand its tides, currents, and hazards. They know which ships are currently in the harbor, at which piers they’re docked, what they carry, and how fast they’re moving. They know the depth of the water and exactly what lies hidden beneath.

When a ship approaches the harbor, its captain requests one of these local pilots, who arrives alongside in a little pilot boat. He boards the ship by climbing the ladder tossed over the side for him. Once the pilot is safely aboard, the helmsman of the pilot boat tootles off to his next pick-up or drop-off. The pilot stands alongside the captain and guides the ship in, sometimes taking control if warranted. If the pilot does a good job, he’ll likely be called upon when it’s time to navigate out to sea again. With that complete, the pilot disembarks the same way he boarded.

Bedford Basin in Halifax's busy harbor during WWI

In 1917, a full complement of pilots in Halifax harbor was 25, with eight apprentices. With so many men away fighting the Great War, Halifax was down to 14 pilots at a time when the harbor was busier than ever. Ship captains were not legally required to engage harbor pilots. They were, however, required to pay the fee for one. No captain would be foolish enough to forfeit this paid-for assistance, especially his first time in a port.

Location of the 1917 Explosion

In the case of Harbor Pilot Francis Mackey aboard the fateful SS Mont Blanc, language proved another barrier. His limited French and Captain Aimé Le Médec’s limited English proved an unfortunate combination in an already tumultuous situation. Both were prone to human error, as was the crew of the SS Imo with which they collided, setting off a chain of events that would result in the world’s largest manmade explosion prior to the atomic bomb.

    Some of the explosion's aftermath.

 

The Reluctant Healer of Halifax is the final and sixth book in Barbour Publishing’s Enduring Hope series by various authors. In one-fifteenth of a second, the world’s prettiest harbor suffered the world’s largest man-made explosion prior to Hiroshima. A story of love, loss, faith, and honor set against Canada’s most devastating moment of the First World War. Watch for it in August 2026.

 

Terrie Todd is the award-winning author of ten historical novels, all set in Canada where she lives with her husband Jon. A former church drama team leader and newspaper columnist, she’s also a frequent contributor to Guideposts Books, mother of three, and grandmother of five.

 

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AMERICAN GIRL DOLL, BUT FRENCH

 

 

The 1905 Doll That Took France By Storm

 

By Mary Davis

 

Long before American Girl Dolls stepped out of history and into little girls’ hearts, or Barbie sashayed out of her Dreamhouse, there was Bleuette. Every little French girl’s dream doll.

 

Author's Friend's Doll & Photo

 

Toward the end of the French doll era, when France was shifting toward separation of church and state, publisher Henri Gautier created a weekly magazine for girls. La Semaine de Suzette (Suzette’s Week) would teach sewing, cooking, manners, etiquette, and other womanly skills for running a household. The first issue came out on February 2, 1905, and the magazine lasted until August 25, 1960, with a break during WWII.

 

To help young girls learn and develop these skills, as well as promote the magazine, Henri Gautier devised a mascot for the magazine, a doll called Bleuette. Girls who bought a year’s subscription before the release of the first issue received the doll for FREE. What a deal! Those who bought the first issue without a subscription before it was released could buy the doll for 2.50 French francs.

 

All 20,000 of the first batch of dolls commissioned were sold before the first issue was released. In fact, the publishing house had to scramble to get 40,000 more dolls made for the initial preorder of subscriptions.

 

Though Bleuette arrived in only a chemise made out of a thin fabric, similar to cheese cloth, clothing patterns for her were featured in the magazine to help teach girls to sew. Girls were encouraged to begin making clothes for their doll right away. They also learned mommy skills in taking care of their doll.

 

Clothing patterns were in a lot of the issues, over 1,060 patterns in Bleuette’s fifty-five-year reign from 1905-1960. When a new season came, Bleuette needed new dresses, a new coat, and accessories like hats, shoes, and purses. Always fashionably dressed, she had clothes for every season, occasion, sport, and event, including a Red Cross uniform, aviator outfit, motoring coat with goggle hat, as well as skating and skiing outfits. There were even patterns to make furniture out of cardboard.

 

Bleuette stood 27 cm (10 5/8”) tall with a fully jointed composition body and a porcelain head. Bleuette had at least four different heads throughout her lifetime. The first were known as "Premiere Bleuette". After WWII, her head was made of composition. Her body also went through several variations and grew from 27 cm to 29 cm (11 3/8”) in 1933. Still all the bodies had basically the same measurements so the patterns would work for all the dolls.

 

Author's Friend's Doll & Photo

 

In 1926, Bleuette’s baby sister, Benjamine, arrived but was discontinued soon after her début. Baby brother, Bambino, was introduced in 1928 with moderate success. And her big sister, Rosette, didn’t come along until 1955. Bleuette’s siblings never had the same popularity as Bleuette nor did they have her extensive wardrobe.

 

Years ago, I was in a porcelain doll group, and I made a couple of Bleuette dolls. I painted the faces and put the heads on composite bodies. I loved making her because of her rich history. I decided she needed her own stories like the American Girl Dolls, so I wrote a couple for her, Meet Bleuette, and Bleuette’s Birthday Surprise.

 

Author Photo

I would call Bleuette “France’s little sweetheart.”

 

Meet Bleuette & Bleuette's Birthday Surprise 

In Meet Bleuette, book 1, Bleuette's family is of moderate means, but her classmates think she's from a well-off family because she always has new dresses. When she's invited to a fancy birthday party, she can't wait to go. But will the birthday girl learn Bleuette is just the daughter of a seamstress and withdraw the invitation? 

In Bleuette's Birthday Surprise, book 2, Bleuette turns ten and thinks her family has forgotten her birthday. Will she even get cake or a present? Or will the day pass right by without anyone noticing?

 

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Rocky Mountains with her Carolina dog, Shelby. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Gothic Romance Elements in Books and Film

 By Sherri Boomershine

As I prepare to write my next book, I’m drawn to the old classics I read in high school as well as the books I read for fun. Many of the Gothic romances—Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca come to mind from school. Remember the book covers of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart? A castle dominates the background and a young woman—always pretty—runs away from it, her long gown flowing behind her.

Gothic romances began in the eighteenth century during the Romantic period with the novel, The Castle of Otranto, (1764) by Horace Walpole. The quintessential novel was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. While some of the characteristic books and movies have supernatural overtones, not all do, especially the more modern gothic romances of the mid-twentieth century. However, certain characteristics ring true in all of them. My favorite novel, Rebecca, illustrates the genre as does its movie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

The setting is usually in an old castle or mansion. The goal of the dark and mysterious setting is to create a sense of unease and foreboding. The first words of Rebecca set the tone: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter, for the way was barred to me.” Hitchcock’s opening scene shows the mansion enveloped in mist and clouds, foreshadowing the fire that left it barren. Within the dwelling are candle-lit halls, secret passageways, and imposing portraits of long-gone residents who frown down on the people who live there. There is a locked room into which the main character, a young, unnamed woman is denied entry. Of course, as the movie unfolds, she must find out what lies behind the locked door.

The antihero of gothic romances is a brooding man who brings the main character to live in the mansion. Some qualities of the antihero include a violent temper, a cynical outlook, a sinister secret or desire, and moodiness. On the flip side, the antihero is often capable of deep, strong affection, has a tortured soul crying out for compassion, and is viewed as solitary and suffering. https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/a-glimpse-of-genre-the-gothic-romance/  In Rebecca, Lawrence Olivier plays Max de Winter, the man who marries the main character and brings her to live in Manderley after a brief courtship in Monte Carlo. Although he loves her, he is so overwhelmed by his past that he can’t help her adjust to the large staff and become the lady of the house, due to diabolical Mrs. Danvers, the woman who runs the household.

Gothic romances are usually associated with a mystery to be solved. In Rebecca, the young bride moves into the mansion to find physical reminders of Max’s late wife, Rebecca, at every turn. A large portrait of the woman dominates the main room. The letter R appears on every piece of stationery and every hand towel. Rebecca’s room is kept as a shrine to her by Mrs. Danvers. The young bride assumes her brooding husband misses Rebecca, but the question is—how did she die? Twist after twist leads her to the truth with surprising results.

Finally, hyperbole best describes every page and movie scene. The woman swoons and faints, the wind hisses through the windows, the lights flicker, the wolves bay. In the end, however, the main character discovers the truth, and the bad guys are exposed, and the couple live happily ever after, just not in the scary mansion.

Sherri Boomershine is a woman of faith who loves all things foreign whether it’s food, culture, or language. A former French teacher and flight attendant, her passion is traveling to the settings of her books, sampling the food, and visiting the sites. She visited a Netherlands concentration camp for A Song for Her Enemies, and Paris art museums for What Hides beyond the Walls. Sherri lives with her husband Mike, her high school sweetheart, whom she married fifty-five years later. As an author and editor, she hopes her books will entertain and challenge readers to live large and connect with their Savior. Join, chat, and share with her on social media. Newsletter Facebook Twitter Instagram Website

A Song for Her Enemies

Tamar Kaplan is a budding soprano with the Harlaam Opera company. Her future looks bright, despite the presence of the German soldiers guarding Haarlem. But when Nazi soldiers close down the opera company, families start disappearing in the middle of the night, and Jews are stripped of their freedoms, Tamar realizes her brother Seth was right about her naiveté. She joins the resistance, her blond hair and light features making it easy for her come and go under the watchful eyes of the German guards. Tamar becomes Dr. Daniel Feldman’s assistant, as they visit families hiding out in forests and hovels, tending to their health needs. But when she returns home to find her parents gone and the family store looted, she and Daniel must go into hiding. As they cling to the walls of an alley, Tamar recognizes a familiar face—that of Neelie Visser, the neighbor, who beckons to them to follow her. Can she trust this Gentile woman who talks about God as if he’s standing next to her? https://bit.ly/40Yucjv

Roman Citizenship, the Gold Standard

By Liisa Eyerly

Historical authors and readers must navigate a murky and treacherous landscape when writing. Murky because we don’t know all the facts and nuances of any period. So much has been lost to the melting ice cubes of time. Treacherous, because peering into the past confronts us with the impossible task of disconnecting from our present-day selves, modern ideas, and our evolved knowledge base.

Suspending moral judgment on the culture, rules, and practices of the Roman Empire, 2,000 years ago, can be especially challenging. Developing characters while distancing them from modern-age perspectives can be difficult. Depicting beliefs where slavery is neither right nor wrong, simply an accepted way of life; or exposing newborns to nature to die, as a common-sense solution for unwanted children; or their choice of mass capital punishment, ignites moral outrage. Is there a limit to how far we can suspend our beliefs, especially when it comes to our values, good and bad, right and wrong?

But to be fair to the times, we must try as much as possible.

Modern democracies work hard to include all citizens in their country's rights and responsibilities, with equality for all, a laudable goal. But Roman society was anything but equal. It was based on a ladder of legal identities, a tiered system of status, and privilege.

Almost every aspect of a person’s life was governed by their legal designation, and Roman Citizenship was at the top, the gold standard of privilege, power, and rights. And unsurprisingly, a major catalyst for power struggles, resentment, and rebellion in the Roman world.

A. Roman Citizens (Cives Romani)  

* Full rights and protections
* Included elites, veterans, colonists—and some provincials
* Women were citizens too, though without voting or office-holding rights

B. Latins (Latini) Originally from Italy, later expanded
* Partial rights- a “citizenship-adjacent” status
* Could trade and own property
* Sometimes eligible for citizenship after holding local office

C. Freedmen (Liberti)
* Former slaves who had been legally freed
* Became Roman citizens, but with limits:
     * Could not hold high office
     * Owed loyalty and service to former masters
* Their children, however, were full citizens

D. Provincials (Peregrini)  

* The majority of the empire
* Free people, but not citizens
* Governed by local laws, not Roman civil law
* Vulnerable to:
     * Torture
     * Summary punishment
     * Exploitative taxation
* Could gain citizenship through:
     * Military service
     * Imperial favor
     * Collective grants to cities

E. Slaves (Servi)
* Considered property, not persons
* Not determined by race or ethnicity
* No legal rights
* Could be punished, sold, abused, or killed (with some limits in later periods)
* Manumission (freeing a slave) was common—and strategic

Ironically, a freed slave could outrank a freeborn provincial in legal status. And it was one of Rome’s quiet engines for social change and mobility.  (Collared Roman slaves / Ashmolean Museum, Photo by Jun, Wikimedia Commons)

Why This Mattered for Christians

Christianity flattened social categories spiritually and sought to practice equality within the church, but Rome did not recognize or understand the religious rationale for Christian inclusiveness. Loyalty to Christ cut across Rome’s legal hierarchy; slaves shared the Lord’s supper with their masters, each serving the other on equal footing, and this terrified authorities. In the provinces like Ephesus, where my books take place, this legal gray zone was a powder keg and exactly the kind of fault line Rome cracked down on.

Christians included:    

* Slaves
* Women
* Foreigners
* A few citizens

Each of these legal designations included categories; even within the upper classes, women and children were typically at the bottom. Tune in next month for a look at the limits, challenges, and opportunities women of the Roman Empire faced.

Step into the shadowy streets of 96 AD Ephesus, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between friend and foe is razor-thin. Fortunes of Death, plunges you into a world where faith is tested, alliances are shattered, and one woman's courage could be the difference between life and death.

Sabina, a fierce young Christian widow, is thrust into a deadly game when a wealthy citizen is murdered. With her friend’s life hanging in the balance, Sabina must unravel a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Every clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth—and closer to becoming the next victim.

This isn't just a murder mystery. It's a gripping tale of faith, resilience, and the power of one woman standing against the darkness.

Visit me at my website, on my Author Facebook page,

or purchase my books at:

Fortunes of Death

Obedient Unto Death

My Amazon book page

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

Western Hearths: Sweet Winter Treats

February makes us long for the comforts of home.

The cold February winds make us yearn for the warmth of hearth and home. Throw in a sweet treat shared with loved ones and life is good. Wild West settlers appreciated these comforts too. Sugar would set a person back a pretty penny, but molasses, honey, and dried fruits could sweeten dishes for less. Molasses cake shared around the stove, fruit compote spooned over hot biscuits, or a pastry baked in a Dutch oven brought families together after a long day of work or comforted neighbors or weary travelers stopping by.

Sweetness Despite Scarcity

Typical western pioneer kitchen.

Pioneer cooks relied on modest equipment—a cast-iron skillet, a Dutch oven, or a simple pot over the fire. They transformed flour, lard or butter, a drizzle of molasses or a little sugar measured from the prized store, dried fruit, and maybe some eggs into welcome treats.

Settlers most often sweetened food with molasses, a staple that traveled well and stretched further than sugar. They treasured dried fruits, like apples, peaches, or berries, and used them sparingly. Supplies weren’t easy to come by, and a humble dessert could prove the highlight of a week. Sweets reminded families and guests of the comforts they’d left behind for the harsh life in the West.

Apple Brown Betty: A Winter Staple

Root cellars were often built into the side of a hill.

Fresh fruit was scarce during winter, but stored apples remained a reliable and cherished ingredient. Apple Brown Betty was a common Wild West dessert—simple, economical, and baked slowly to warm both hearth and hearts.

Ingredients

• 4 cups dried or stored apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup coarse bread crumbs or crumbled day-old bread
• ⅓ cup brown sugar or molasses sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional but period-appropriate)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup butter, lard, or rendered animal fat, melted
• ½ cup water or apple cider

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or cast-iron pan.
• If using dried apples, soak them in warm water for 20–30 minutes until softened, then drain.
• In a bowl, mix bread crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Layer half of the apples in the baking dish, followed by half of the bread mixture. Drizzle with half of the melted fat.
• Repeat layers with remaining apples, bread mixture, and fat.
• Pour water or cider evenly over the top.
• Cover loosely and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, until the top is browned and the apples are tender.
• Let rest briefly before serving. Best eaten warm, plain or with a splash of milk or cream if available.

The History Behind the Recipe

Apple Brown Betty is a classic baked apple dessert with roots in early American kitchens, likely dating from the colonial era or the 18th century when apples and pantry ingredients like breadcrumbs, butter, and sugar were available. The dish embodies pioneer thrift and practicality. Spiced apples are layered with seasoned crumbs (often of bread or crackers) and baked until tender and bubbling. By the 19th century, the dish appeared in American cookbooks and household newspapers. 

Apple Brown Betty evolved with regional twists, including variations that used cornmeal crumbles for a sturdier texture. In the era of westward expansion and frontier homesteads, Brown Betty became a staple comfort food in taverns and farm kitchens, pairing with whipped cream or custard and serving as a simple, sturdy dessert for families and settlers alike.

Such desserts brought comfort and celebration, marking special occasions, holidays, or just the end of a long day of work. Families gathered around the table, sharing stories and enjoyment. A neighbor or traveler passing through might be offered a slice as a token of hospitality and kindness. The dish shows the ingenuity of the era. People made the most of what they had, improvising to create something joyous.

That lesson still resonates.

Bringing Pioneer Sweetness to Your Home

As you bake this dessert, picture hearth fires glowing, families wrapped in warmth and laughter or young couples savoring a quiet moment together. The "Western Hearths" blog series connects us with history through meals that nourish not only the body but also the heart and soul. Stop by on the 20th of each month for a new history-inspired recipe.

February is a month for sweetness, for reflection, and for love. People living in the Wild West cherished those moments too. Apple Brown Betty gives us a taste of the resourcefulness and heart of those who came before us.

Pull up a chair to your own hearth, and enjoy a slice of history—sweet, humble, and full of love.

About Janalyn Voigt 

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary.

Learn more about Janalyn, read the first chapters of her books, subscribe to her e-letter, and join her reader clubs at http://janalynvoigt.com.

Discover Montana Gold 

Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, the Montana Gold series explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west. 

Servant Girls in the Gilded Age

by Susan G Mathis

To work “in service” meant living within the employer’s home—often a large brownstone in Manhattan, a country estate along the Hudson, or, for the fortunate, a genteel household in the blossoming summer retreats of the Thousand Islands or Long Island.

Their duties could be endless. A kitchen maid might rise before dawn to light the fires. A chambermaid scrubbed floors and emptied chamber pots. A parlor maid dusted the fine furniture and answered bells. A nursemaid tended to children who might have more toys than she’d ever seen in her life.

For girls who had grown up with little, these homes were both awe-inspiring and alien. They witnessed luxury firsthand—velvet drapes, china tea sets, and glittering chandeliers—but they belonged to none of it. Still, many found pride in their work, friendship in the kitchen, and a sense of purpose in doing their duties well.

The orphanages that sent these girls into service often gave them more than just training—they gave them a sense of faith and family. For girls between 13 and 16, this transition was both terrifying and defining. Some were mistreated or dismissed without cause. Others, through diligence and kindness, became trusted members of the households they served. A few even used their wages to attend night school or to help bring siblings or cousins from Ireland.

Through it all, they leaned on one another. Many corresponded with “sisters” from the orphanage, exchanging letters of encouragement and prayer—a sisterhood forged in hardship and strengthened by hope.

These Irish servant girls lived in a world divided by class and expectation. They were both insiders and outsiders—present at family dinners but invisible; indispensable to daily life but rarely acknowledged. Yet their contribution was immense.

Their stories remind us that history’s heroines are not always queens or reformers. Sometimes they are thirteen-year-old girls with work-roughened hands and steadfast hearts—lighting fires before dawn, whispering prayers beneath their breath, and believing that even a servant’s life could shine with purpose.

In my newest novel, Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas, seven young women prepare their hearts for a deeper calling, and each young woman must face the truth of her past and the hope of her future.

ABOUT IRISH ROSE ORPHANS’ CHRISTMAS:

Seven young women experience their last Christmas together before stepping into lives of service. United by trials and an unbreakable bond, they’ve pledged to remain “forever sisters.” But as the season of parting approaches, buried wounds rise to the surface. When Sister Rose invites the girls to prepare their hearts during Advent for a deeper calling, each young woman must face the truth of her past and the hope of her future. This Christmas, seven orphans will discover that no matter where life leads them, love and faith will go with them.

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has sixteen in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Inside the Pardon Palace

  by Tom Goodman

Kathy Bates as Ma Ferguson in The Highwaymen

Why let your loved one languish in a Texas prison when you could seek a pardon from the governor?

For a price.

That was the accusation leveled at Miriam “Ma” Ferguson. You may remember her from The Highwaymen. Kathy Bates portrayed the woman who became Texas’s first female governor in 1924—less than a decade after women gained the right to vote.

No Texas governor before or since has come close to her record on pardons granted. But it was a record shadowed by persistent rumors that Ma and her husband, James “Pa” Ferguson, operated a mercenary “Pardon Palace.”

Ma ran for governor after Pa was impeached and banned from office. Once elected, she made headlines—and enemies—through her expansive use of executive clemency. By the end of her first year, she had granted more than 1,200 pardons and commutations. The figure is striking when set against a Texas prison population of roughly 3,700 inmates at the time. 

Many more would follow.

Ferguson insisted this flood of mercy sprang from compassion and a belief in second chances. She and Pa condemned the brutality of Texas prisons and styled themselves reformers. Ma described her pardons as acts of Christian charity and later called her mercy toward “poor and unfortunate convicts” her proudest achievement.

That posture earned her loyal support, especially in rural communities where she was seen as a maternal figure. But resentment grew whenever a pardoned inmate reoffended.

One notorious example was Marvin “Buck” Barrow, brother of Clyde. Within weeks of his release, Buck reunited with Clyde and Bonnie Parker, returning to violent crime before dying in a bloody shootout that summer.

Another case proved even more damaging. In 1927, two men pardoned by Ferguson—Marshall Ratliff and Henry Helms—joined the gang responsible for the Santa Claus Bank Robbery in Cisco. Both had served only two years of long sentences for armed robbery. The daytime heist left two officers dead. Prosecutors argued that without Ferguson’s pardons, the killings would not have occurred. Juries gave both men death sentences. (To learn more about this infamous event, get a copy of my book, The Last Man: A Novel of the 1927 Santa Claus Bank Robbery.)

In hindsight, Ferguson’s legacy cuts both ways. Her willingness to extend mercy, especially to nonviolent offenders, looks progressive for her era. Yet rumors of pay-for-pardons never faded. One popular Austin story had Pa offering to sell a desperate father a shabby horse—hinting that if purchased, the man’s son “might ride home on it from Huntsville.”

Ma denied the accusations, but later investigations and memoirs proved the rumors true.

By the end of her second term in 1935, she had pardoned nearly 4,000 inmates. The following year, Texans amended the constitution to create an independent pardons board.

Her pardon record is an outlier that has never been matched by any other Texas governor before or since. In fact, historians often cite her as one of the most mercy-giving (or, to critics, most abusive) chief executives in American history.

For more on the Fergusons, check out Carol O'Keefe Wilson’s excellent book, In the Governor's Shadow: The True Story of Ma and Pa Ferguson.