Margery A. Neely

Shivaree Margery A. Neely

Proud of the local boy, Harry S Truman, President for the past year; fearful of communism; and, eager to seize opportunities, families in the Ozarks looked out upon the world, eyes on property, prestige, and prosperity. The parents had married during the Roaring Twenties-known also as the Prohibition Era and jazz age-and had survived the Great Depression, the Dustbowl, and war time rationing. The kids, if they didn't have to work, had ridden their bikes or had trudged miles to school. In 1946, electricity was coming to rural areas; new-fangled appliances were being built; soldiers were returning home; and, assorted careers were opening up. The formerly austere parents and their offspring were anticipating a great post-war era. But, over a two year period, Missouri citizens were confronted with mysterious phone calls, deaths of three unconnected people, and intrusion into local armament factory-until the culprit described how he wasn't responsible.