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Talking Tombstones

October 31, 2018 by Jim Potter 5 Comments

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Talking-Tombstones.m4a

·  Henry Hartford in Two Worlds  ·

If you’ve heard of Talking Tombstones then you probably know that real people, now deceased, have their stories brought to life in an abbreviated forum.

In Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, contemporary actors, often affiliated with Stage 9 (run by the Hutchinson Theater Guild), transform into dearly departed residents from a distant era. Thanks to Talking Tombstones, the attendees who visit Hutchinson’s Eastside Cemetery each October, learn a great deal in a short time about local history. I can’t think of a better way to experience yesteryear!

I discovered Henry Hartford (1837-1919) about thirty-five years ago while doing historical research. This was during my early days as a deputy with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

Henry Hartford, 1886

I searched for all the former Reno County sheriffs and soon learned that Hartford was the county’s second elected sheriff (1874-1875), following Charles Collins. Hartford was consistently described as an Irish immigrant, a gallant and highly decorated Civil War Union veteran (“wounded five times seriously”), a natural leader of men, who filed and then settled in Medora Township under a Soldier’s Homestead claim (1872-73) where he became a successful rancher and cattleman.

When I learned that Henry Hartford was going to be one of Stage 9’s highlighted chosen people, I got excited! Who had done the historical research? Who wrote the script? And who would take on the persona of this courageous man?

Actress Dell Marie Shanahan Swearer

Sometimes the Reno County Museum recommends potential characters from the past for Talking Tombstones, but the meticulous details are researched by Rita Lingg, former Reno County Genealogical Society member.

Lynsey Becher cast and directed Talking Tombstones and worked with all the actors exclusively.

Jason Probst, actor and scriptwriter

This year, Jason Probst wrote five original scripts and rewrote one that had been used some years back. One of the scripts he wrote is a fast moving, personal dialogue between two long-gone friends and business partners, performed by Jordan Gajewski and Jackson Swearer.

When I asked Jason about the process he used in writing, he told me this: “It’s incredibly fascinating to me. And probably the most challenging part is figuring out what to include and what to leave out, so we capture the character’s essence, without creating a script that’s impossible for the characters to memorize.

Denton Warn portraying Col. and Sheriff Henry Hartford

“I had so much fun writing the characters!” Jason continued. “What’s most fun for me is seeing these characters come to life, which happened this week at dress rehearsal.”

When I learned that Denton Warn would transform himself into Henry Hartford, I recognized him as an illustrator of children’s books. He was quick to give credit to others. Denton hadn’t done the research or writing but he had rewritten Hartford’s story to his liking.

Denton said he was not with the Stage 9 association, he had done some theater in college, but no acting in between.

After I asked him about the Irish accent he would use, he responded like a new immigrant from the Emerald Isle. Where did he find this authentic accent? He credited Lynsey Becher as his excellent and pleasant drama coach, then added that he also listened to some online sites.

Here are some insights from Lynsey about assisting actors in their preparation:

  • I worked with all on beat work, which is going through the monologue and finding the places where one story begins or the subject changes.
  • We worked on the emotion behind everything that happened to these characters.
  • There is a fine balance between just rattling off historical information and creating a character who is alive and relatable.
  • It is important to keep this show as historically accurate as possible, but when you are portraying a real person and you only have bits and pieces of their life, there is a dramatic element of how the actor feels about what the character went through that has to come into play.

As I approached Henry Hartford’s cemetery plot on the twilight tour, I recognized Denton Warn. With a handsome white mustache and goatee, he was dressed in period costume. Sheriff Hartford was wearing a collarless, long-sleeved white shirt, buttoned vest, dress pants, and a melon-shaped derby hat. In case of trouble, he was holstered up.

During Hartford’s exceptional performance he welcomed everyone in a strong Irish accent and soon told a joke: “Why did the Irishman wear red suspenders?”

“To keep his pants up,” he answered.

The Civil War veteran told of signing up for only three months service since most everyone expected a short war. He shared about being in the thick of things during his many military campaigns and about receiving multiple wounds. I laughed when he said there wasn’t anything civil about the Civil War.

Hartford had settled in Reno County just in time to face the horrific results of the grasshopper invasion of 1874. “They even ate the laundry off the clothesline,” and while the chickens ate the hungry pests, this caused the chickens to taste so bad, people wouldn’t eat the chickens!

In the perfect setting, Henry introduced us to his family as he motioned to the various headstones. We learned that his future wife, Alice Elizabeth Thomas, was a Medora Township neighbor to Hartford. They married in 1879 and raised five children.

Henry Hartford’s closing remarks were brief and humorous.

“I’m always ready for a joke to everyone I meet. My time is up . . . again!” Hartford was done and his audience was appreciative, responding with thunderous applause.

Hillsview Stock Farm, 1893

Three days after Denton portrayed Henry Hartford, I had the pleasure of visiting with Lynne Hartford, great-granddaughter of Henry! It would have never happened without the publicity for Talking Tombstones.

Lynne sent me a photo of the old farmstead near Medora and photos of Henry in uniform. 

Thanks to Stage 9, a group of dedicated, talented people, who consistently recreate another time and place so that we can learn to value who and where we are.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

  • History of Reno County, Kansas: Its People, Industries and Institutions (1917), by Sheridan Ploughe, p 200-203
  • Reno County Museum, Lynn Ledeboer, Curator

 

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Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: Behind the Books Blog, Colonel Henry Hartford, Dell Marie Shanahan Swearer, Denton Warn, Henry Hartford, Jason Probst, Jim Potter, Lynn Ledeboer, Lynne Hartford, Lynsey Becher, Reno County Museum, Rita Lingg, Sheriff Henry Hartford, Stage 9, Talking Tombstones

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarNancy Julien Kopp says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:37 am

    What an interesting post! I would have loved to have seen the show. I’m big on selecting the right title for stories or plays or anything written. I love “Talking Tombstones.” Two words that tell us a lot.

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      October 31, 2018 at 10:25 pm

      Nancy, thanks for the encouragement! I can imagine a panel presentation of historical researcher, scriptwriter, drama coach, and performer at the Kansas Authors Club convention in Hutch in 2020. The actor would be in period costume and perform just prior to Q&A. Jim

      Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      October 31, 2018 at 10:28 pm

      Nancy, thanks for your encouragement! I can imagine a panel presentation of researcher, scriptwriter, drama coach, and performer at Kansas Authors Club’s 2020 convention in Hutch in 2020. The actor would be in period costume and perform just prior to Q&A. Jim

      Reply
  2. AvatarAnne Hartford says

    July 27, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Hi, Jim.

    I’m a great great grandniece of Henry. My brother and I are researching our family history and he found this. Any further info or pointers on where to look are appreciated! This is so fascinating.

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      July 27, 2020 at 11:10 pm

      Hello Anne,
      Thank you for commenting. Do you know Lynne Hartford? Her father was John Henry Hartford. She also commented on the essay/blog.
      Jim

      Reply

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What People Are Saying

Sean McArdle

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:24:22-06:00

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sean-mcardle/

Rebecca

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:41:14-06:00

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca/

Wynona Winn

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:18:33-06:00

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/wynona-winn/

Denise Low

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:31:21-06:00

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/denise-low/

Larry Kruckman

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:27:15-06:00

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/larry-kruckman/

Deb Theis

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:20:29-06:00

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/deb-theis/

John & Cindy Morrill

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:14:56-06:00

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/john-cindy-morrill/

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.

Morgan Penner

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:25:35-06:00

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/morgan-penner/

Dennis Perrin

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Dennis Perrin, educator

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:44:55-06:00

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/dennis-perrin/

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Rebecca Schillaci

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:46:40-06:00

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca-schillaci/

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Sheryl Remar

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:47:46-06:00

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sheryl-remar/

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Jane Holzrichter

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:21:41-06:00

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/jane-holzrichter/

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Steve Becker

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:26:21-06:00

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/steve-becker/

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Diana Dester

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:19:23-06:00

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/diana-dester/

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:44:26-06:00

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/karleen-wilson-moon/

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

Judy Hawk

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:15:48-06:00

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/judy-hawk/
16
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