Road Tripping and Novel Researching

In 2019, I began researching for my next book, a historical fiction novel inspired by the fascinating life of Alice Martin. 

Alice was born in 1881 in Derby, Indiana, which is about an hour from my house.  She lived on her family’s farm until she left for college, and then she traveled the world (literally) for over 20 years as a circus and vaudeville aerialist. I have wanted to write about her since the moment I first heard her story.

I did a little research and wrote the first few chapters, but then I suffered a major medical issue in January 2020. Almost immediately afterward, life as we all know it changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. My research and plans for the new novel were put aside as I focused on surviving.

After several years (and writing and publishing His Timing: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Healing), I decided to pick up where I left off with this novel. 

I began researching Alice’s life story again, reviewing what I had learned and forgotten, along with finding new information. As part of this research, I felt the need to visit her birthplace and family farm, as well as her final resting place in Derby.

Fast forward to this past weekend.

By piecing together what little information I could find from interviews and newspaper clippings I had gathered, I was able to determine the general area where Alice had lived. I knew her family’s farm was in Derby, and various articles mentioned vague descriptions of landmarks and backroads.  

To further complicate matters, the farm consisted of an upper portion of land and the “bottoms,” an area of low-lying fields. Alice’s family home had been located on a high ridge overlooking the Ohio River, described in one article as “featuring the grandest view of the Ohio anywhere.” I also discovered her tombstone was located in Lower Cummings Cemetery, somewhere off of Tide Road.

We began our adventure by driving north through Tell City and passing through several smaller towns before arriving in Derby. 

This quaint little town features a tavern, community center, rental cabins overlooking the river, a general store, and the cutest little post office ever!

We made our way through Derby and out towards the surrounding farmland. We found some of the aforementioned landmarks, and with some luck, google maps, and following those vague directions, we finally hit the jackpot.

A gravel lane covered by a canopy of trees led us to Lower Cummings Cemetery, a lovely, peaceful spot nestled in a grove of trees, where we found Alice’s grave, along with the graves of her mother, father, and a sibling who died in infancy. Her friend, Frank Sandage, and his wife are also buried there.

It was surreal to see her name etched into the stone, and I was in awe to actually be standing there. I also felt a sense of profound sadness, knowing the way her life ended.

Our next mission was to find the high bluff where Alice’s family home had been located. Unfortunately, all I knew for sure was that it was somewhat close to the cemetery and was located on a high hill. 

We drove around for a while through the hills and gravel roads until, on a whim, I decided to search for “Martin” on my google maps app. I don’t know what I was hoping to find, exactly – maybe a “Martin Lane” or “Martin Road” to show up and lead us to the bluff. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it right there on the map – “Martin Ridge” was less than half a mile away. 

We made our way up to the top of the hill, turned onto another narrow gravel lane, and finally arrived at Martin Ridge, home of what must indeed be the grandest view in the area.

This was where Alice had been born, and this was where she had died. It was breathtaking, and the pictures honestly do not do it justice.

It was nothing short of magical to visit these places I’ve researched, read about, and written about for the past few years. I’m excited to keep writing so I can share Alice’s incredible story with others.