The Founding
(Across the Great Divide, Book #3)
By Michael L. Ross
Two men, two dreams, two new towns on the plains, and a railroad that will determine whether the towns—one black, one white—live or die.
Will Crump has survived the Civil War, Red Cloud’s War, and the loss of his love, but the search for peace and belonging still eludes him. From Colorado, famed Texas Ranger Charlie Goodnight lures Will to Texas, where he finds new love, but can a Civil War sharpshooter and a Quaker find a compromise to let their love survive? When Will has a chance to join in the founding of a new town, he risks everything—his savings, his family, and his life—but it will all be for nothing if the new railroad passes them by.
Luther has escaped slavery in Kentucky through Albinia, Will’s sister, only to find prejudice rearing its ugly head in Indiana. When the Black Codes are passed, he’s forced to leave and begin a new odyssey. Where can he and his family go to be truly free? Can they start a town owned by blacks, run by blacks, with no one to answer to? But their success will be dependent on the almighty railroad and overcoming bigotry to prove their town deserves the chance to thrive.
Will’s eldest sister, Julia, and her husband, Hiram, are watching the demise of their steamboat business and jump into railroads, but there’s a long black shadow in the form of Jay Gould, the robber baron who ruthlessly swallows any business he considers competition. Can Julia fight the rules against women in business, dodge Gould, and hold her marriage together?
The Founding tells the little-known story of the Exodusters and Nicodemus, the black town on the plains of Kansas, and the parallel story of Will’s founding of Lubbock, Texas, against the background of railroad expansion in America. A family reunited, new love discovered, the quest for freedom, the rise of two towns. In the end, can they reach Across the Great Divide? The Founding is the exciting conclusion to the series.
Praise for The Founding:
“Michael is an excellent storyteller and has done a wonderful job depicting Luther, and the other black characters in this book. He has done his homework and depicts many historical facts about Nicodemus in a most enlightening and creative way. It has been a pleasure working with someone who has made a concerted effort to get things right.
~ Angela Bates
Nicodemus Descendant/Historian
Executive Director
The Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum
Interview
What inspired you to start writing?
I started writing short stories at fourteen, back in 1968. I wanted to tell stories that would make people think, and perhaps influence the world for good. My mother was a curriculum coordinator for one of the largest school systems in the country, and dealt with publishers often. She was my first writing teacher and editor. She showed one of my stories to an editor for Random House, and they bought it, wondering if I had any more. She didn’t know, but that was my first encouragement to write.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
There were so many difficult parts – marketing it had to be the hardest. I learned a great deal from my editor, Jenny Quinlan about craft and the industry. The Historical Novel Society has been a great teacher. The research was difficult, since my main character was not a famous person, though real. Much of what I knew came from personal contact with his family, and dusty archives that aren’t digitalized. I ended up writing an article about him for the Texas Historical Society, which is published in Texas State Historical Association Online William Dorsey Crump. Keeping the timeline straight and in sync for Will and the supporting cast was quite a trick. The Founding, in particular, covers a large span of time, with three threads.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
That’s rather like choosing between your children. Will Crump, the star of the series certainly does hold a special place, since I knew his family, though he died before I was born. Will’s story, after all, was what inspired me to write the books. Luther also has a special spot, because though fictional, he taught me so much about black culture, the history of blacks in America, and how to surrender hate and anger.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
Truthfully, I wouldn’t cast all celebrities. I suppose that’s why I’m not in the film business. I do community theatre and directed in high school, with pretty good success. I would cast my narrator Josh Young, who is a Broadway actor, as Will Crump. Josh has a face and voice that could be 15 or 35, and some of the best acting skills I’ve seen. Probably Kirk Cameron for older Will. I’d cast Tyler James Williams as adult Luther, and Lonnie Chavis as young Luther. For Will’s father Robert, I’d love to get Christopher Walken. Marsai Martin as Luther’s wife Ruth. Claire Holt as Will’s sister Albinia. Elle Fanning as Will’s oldest sister, Julia.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
• Prejudice is alive and well, unfortunately.
• Prejudice and forgiveness are both choices, and have consequences.
• Reaching out to others can bridge the divide between races and cultures.
Buy this Book
Michael L. Ross
Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories.
He’s a retired software engineer turned author, with three children, and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of 39 years. Michael graduated from Rice University and Portland State University with degrees in German and software engineering. He was part of an MBA program at Boston University.
Michael was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas. He’s written short stories and technical articles in the past, as well as articles for the Texas Historical Society.
Across the Great Divide now has three novels in the series, "The Clouds of War", and "The Search", and the conclusion, "The Founding". "The Clouds of War" was an honorable mention for Coffee Pot Book of the Year in 2019, and an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories, along with making the Amazon top 100 paid, reviewed in Publisher's Weekly. "The Search" won Coffee Pot Cover of the Year in 2020, and Coffee Pot Silver Medal for Book of the Year in 2020, as well as short listed for the Chanticleer International Book Laramie Award.
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Thank you for hosting Michael L. Ross today. What an interesting and revealing interview!
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