Hang the Moon

Sallie recalls her first encounter with Mary, which was shortly after Eddie’s birth. Mary invented a dark fairy tale for Sallie in which Sallie’s mother Annie was “a whore” (136) who bewitched the Duke and lured him away from Mary’s mother, Belle, “the princess” (135).

After inheriting the Big House and Kincaid Holdings, Mary moves into the Big House with her husband, Reverend Phillip Canon. Sallie along with Aunt Faye and Nell greet Mary and Phillip warmly. Mary extends an invitation for Sallie, Nell, and Aunt Faye to stay in the house. She emphasizes forgiveness and repentance and expresses her belief in their capacity to help in turning Claiborne County into “a law-abiding, God-fearing place” (140).

Later, Mattie and Sheriff Earl arrive to meet with Mary and Phillip. Mattie blames Seymour and Kat for Eddie’s demise and offers to continue managing Kincaid Holdings on Mary’s behalf, providing her with time to adjust. Phillip and Mary vehemently oppose the Kincaid’s bootlegging tax. The conversation escalates, with Mary and Phillip asserting their moral stance as Prohibitionists and Mattie rebuking their judgment.

After touring the county, Mary and Phillip arrive at the Emporium, where Cecil reveals that they have been accepting whiskey as trade and rent payment. On their direction, Cecil leads them downstairs, illuminating the shelves filled with various types of alcohol. The room is packed with whiskey, particularly white whiskey, “hundreds and hundreds of gallons of it” (142). Sallie reminisces about discovering this place as a child, where she first questioned the distinction between legal and illegal.

Mary expresses her mission to destroy the whiskey inventory entirely. Phillip concurs, calling it “poison” (143). Mary also recalls her mother’s crusade against liquor and promises to continue that work. Sallie is tasked with gathering clerks to help dispose of the liquor. They start stacking boxes of bottles in the store’s lot while townsfolk gather to witness the spectacle. Sheriff Earl arrives but refuses to assist, citing that Prohibition is federal law, not local law. Phillip and Mary proceed with destroying the bottles, and Sallie is asked to join in. Despite knowing that the townsfolk may feel betrayed, she recognizes the importance of adhering to the laws established by the new owners, Mary and Phillip. She reluctantly reaches for the ax.

Mary and Phillip join Sallie on her rounds, meeting tenants, inspecting houses, and distributing pamphlets condemning the ill effects of alcohol. They also announce that the Kincaids will no longer accept whiskey as rent payment, leaving the tenants bewildered and angry. Abraham Crockett, being the “unofficial mayor of Hopewell Road” (145), speaks for the “colored folks” (145), questioning how they are expected to pay rent now. Abraham grows corn, which he turns into whiskey to pay his rent. Phillip suggests selling the corn instead, but Abraham argues that whiskey is far more profitable. Mary urges him to “pray on it” (145) and find honest work. Phillip becomes offended and dismissive when Abraham quotes scripture allowing people to have “an abundance of grain and new wine” (146). They grant Abraham a month of rent-free time to adjust and find some other work.

In early May, Sallie visits Abraham Crockett to collect rent in cash. Abraham hands her $20, covering both last month and this one, and humorously mentions that he prayed on it to know what to do. Sallie does not question the source of the money, suspecting it’s related to whiskey-making, which many in the county are now doing independently since Mary stopped trading at the Emporium. Sallie hands over the rent money to Cecil, recounting Abraham’s statement with a hint of mischief in her tone. Phillip, who is also there, vows to take action against those who mock them.

Kat returned to the Big House three weeks ago, mourning Seymour, who was killed in a car accident. She sought refuge with the Kincaids, and Mary welcomed her, emphasizing motherhood as the “highest calling for a woman” (150).

Kat’s labor is intense, and the atmosphere is charged with determination and fear. Mary and Aunt Faye assist Kat while Nell manages towels and Sallie comforts Kat, holding her hand. The baby emerges blue and in distress, but Aunt Faye manages to revive her. Mary holds the baby and names her Grace. Shortly after, Mary announces that she is pregnant.

Kat has been struggling since giving birth, unable to produce milk for baby Grace. She visits Sallie’s room and discloses that Seymour is alive and they have separated because he prefers to be with men. She then reveals her intention to leave and not take Grace with her. Sallie insists that Grace needs her mother, but Kat believes leaving is best for everyone. Sallie reflects on her own childhood without her mother and the longing she feels “every single day” (154). She promises to herself that Grace “will never feel unwanted” (155) like she did.

Sallie, Aunt Faye, and Nell have been caring for Grace since Kat left two months ago. Aunt Faye believes Kat might have gone to find a husband near the ports, and Mary is “sickened and disgusted” (156) by Kat’s action. However, Mary has grown fond of Grace and even talks about adopting her.

Mary, now pregnant herself, remains committed to eradicating the local whiskey trade before her baby arrives. She and Phillip return from Richmond with Glen Lowe, a man they hope will help enforce Prohibition laws. Lowe is a stern-looking individual who insists on “complete autonomy” (158) and force in his crusade.

Lowe spends two months compiling a list of whiskey sellers and then plans to make arrests. Meanwhile, heavily armed strangers have infiltrated the county, causing unrest and arresting local men, including tenants and friends. Billy Bond and Abraham Crockett are also “being herded around” (161) like animals. Sallie, walking the streets nervously, realizes the need for a gun for self-defense.

Following Abraham’s arrest, Sallie visits his house, which the deputies have vandalized. His wife, Gloria, who has a swollen lip and frightened children, hesitates to trust Sallie but eventually shows her the hidden whiskey that can be used for Abraham’s bail.

Back at the Big House, Sallie confronts Mary about Lowe’s deputies’ brutality. Mary, heavily pregnant and unwell, refuses to discuss the matter, demanding peace and rest.

Sallie finds a special edition of the Gazette, which focuses on Crockett as a “prominent negro” (164) and paints him as the ringleader of a whiskey-making gang. She goes to discuss Gloria’s situation with Cecil, who suggests she sells the whiskey herself for Abraham’s bail. Tom Dunbar, who has unexpectedly arrived in Caywood due to his father’s illness, offers to join Sallie.

Sallie and Tom drive toward Webster County with “Abraham’s one hundred quarts” (168) of whiskey in the car. They worry about potential roadblocks and decide to take their chances in daylight, acting like ordinary folks to avoid suspicion. However, they encounter a roadblock supervised by Horace Platt, Lowe’s deputy, and Chalky Hurd. Sallie recalls the Duke’s advice about making your problem “the other man’s problem” (169) and decides to take action. She boldly bypasses the roadblock, using her reputation as the Duke’s daughter to assert authority. Horace Platt objects, but Sallie insists, and they keep moving.

Sallie receives a phone call from someone on Hopewell Road. Abraham has been killed, and the people of Hopewell Road have gathered in mourning. Abraham’s death shocks Sallie. She learns that he was killed by hanging, a brutal act that has never occurred in Claiborne County before.

Gloria tells Sallie about their plan to leave for Detroit to escape the county’s racial violence. She also reveals that Abraham “was the Colonel’s son” (173) out of wedlock and the Duke’s half-brother. The coffin is brought out, and Sallie feels the weight of the situation. She offers financial assistance to Gloria and gives her Annie’s moonstone necklace. Gloria is hesitant about the necklace but accepts out of necessity.

On the way back from Hopewell Road, Sallie and Tom encounter Billy Bond, who invites Sallie and Tom to a meeting at Shorty’s Garage. The gathering is filled with armed men discussing retaliatory actions against the deputies and those responsible for the violence against their families. The meeting takes an intense turn when the deputies, including Chalky Hurd and Horace Platt, arrive and fire a warning shot into the air, leading to a confrontation. Billy shoots Platt, killing him, and the deputies retreat. Little Jimmy, Billy’s brother, is shot during the confrontation and needs medical attention. Sallie is left “with a stomach-turning sense” (177) that they’ve started something they cannot control.

At the Caywood Hospital, the Head Nurse, Bertha, confronts the Bond Brothers, stating that guns are not allowed. Billy ignores her, giving Tom a pistol and asking Sallie to retrieve her revolver and Remington from her car. Shortly after, 10 cars carrying Lowe and his men arrive, demanding to enter the hospital: They have arrest warrants for the Bonds’ and their supporters. Bertha refuses, and Lowe grows angry and shoots at the door, causing chaos inside the emergency room. Patients scream as bullets penetrate the walls. Sallie, Tom, and the Bond brothers take cover and return fire, shooting out the headlights of the attackers’ cars. Sallie feels a mixture of exhilaration and anger as she fights back against the men Mary brought into the county. Amidst the gunfire, Sallie notices Tom “crouching in the shadows, shaking his head” (181); he is suffering from shell shock due to his time in the war.

Soon, both parties are out of ammunition, and the situation remains uncertain as they await Lowe’s next move. Meanwhile, Tom has been shot in the arm. Suddenly, they hear the distant rumbling of an engine and see a convoy of military trucks approaching. Tom identifies them as “the guard” (183). After speaking with an officer, Lowe and his deputies leave the scene. Then, the Bond brothers appear, carrying Little Jimmy’s body on a stretcher. Sallie follows them outside, still holding her revolver. A guard officer “with a black mustache” (184) approaches Sallie and advises her to stand down. She hesitates but eventually complies, sticking her revolver in her belt.

The officer with the black mustache arrives at the Big House and questions Sallie about her involvement in the hospital incident. In a hushed exchange, Sallie tells him that Mary and Lowe are unaware of her actions. Just then, Lowe barges in and the officer informs him that he has been sent by Major to check on the Kincaid ladies. He recommends Sallie “stay indoors” (188) for her safety and introduces himself as Lieutenant Douglas Rawley, offering assistance if needed.

At the Emporium, a reporter named Willard Smith approaches Sallie and asks for an interview. She agrees, intending to expose Lowe’s behavior. Sallie criticizes Lowe’s actions and describes the chaos he caused in the town. Smith mentions the governor’s statement, disapproving of Lowe’s actions and stating his plans to investigate him “for impersonating a police officer” (189). When the townspeople learn about it, they are angry. Sallie spots Rawley arriving in a guard car, along with a sedan carrying several men, including Sinclair Bond, one of Billy Bond’s cousins. Sallie realizes the Bonds are likely seeking revenge on Lowe and his wife, Clara, who is with him. She rushes to Lieutenant Rawley, warning him of impending trouble and accompanies him to prevent bloodshed.

The Bond Brothers attacked Lowe’s car, leaving him dead and Clara blind. At Lowe’s funeral, reporters, temperance activists, and curious onlookers fill the church. While Phillip delivers a eulogy, Sallie cannot help but focus on Clara, who appears “tragic and mysterious, even beautiful” (192) in her blindfold.

Sallie visits Tom, who is recovering from his injuries. Amy, Tom’s wife, blames Sallie for what happened to him. Sallie then seeks out Lieutenant Rawley, who is preparing to return home now that the incident has been settled. As they part ways, Rawley asks if she has ever considered marriage. Sallie politely declines his offer, maintaining that she is “not the marrying type” (194).

Phillip and Clara are going on tour because many people have asked him to speak and want to meet Clara, “the Comely Blind Widow” (195). Despite Sallie’s concerns about Mary’s health, Phillip insists that Mary is not sick, and they will be back before the baby arrives. Sallie questions the commitment of marriage as she watches Phillip leave with Clara. As Mary comes down the stairs, she shares her excitement about feeling the baby kick, indicating that “it’s a boy” (196). Phillip acknowledges the baby’s activity but bids her farewell.

Mary is having severe stomach cramps, and Aunt Faye, concerned about her prolonged morning sickness, calls in Doctor Black. After the examination, Doctor Black says, “there is no baby” (197): Mary was experiencing a phantom pregnancy, and the reason behind her swelling and pain is uterine cancer. Aunt Faye believes that it is better to keep Mary thinking she is still pregnant, providing her with hope during her last days. When Mary expresses her desire to see her husband, Sallie sends a series of urgent telegrams to get Phillip back home. Eventually, a letter arrives from Phillip, offering words of encouragement and describing the success of their tour. Mary’s hope fades as she realizes that Phillip is “not coming back” (199). Phillip abandoned her, just like the Duke did to Mary’s mother. Sallie tries to offer comfort but ultimately confirms the truth about the phantom pregnancy. In her vulnerable state, Mary implores Sallie to carry on the work she started in the county. Hedging, Sallie promises to do what she believes “is best for the people” (201) of Claiborne County.