Brophy introduces 'Fire and Sword'

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Patrick Brophy, local historian and author sits among his many works and talks about his latest book. --Nancy Malcom/Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- Patrick Brophy has written a new book several decades in the making "Fire and Sword -- A Missouri County in the Civil War" is ready to go to the printer.

Brophy is known locally and nationally as the curator of the Bushwhacker Museum, editor of the award winning newsletter, "Bushwhacker Musings," and as an author and historian.

He has written several books that tell the history of various people and events in Vernon County history. He won the Author Award 1996-'97 from the State Historical Society of Missouri.

These award winning books continue to be popular. All the funds from the sales of these books are donated to the Vernon County Historical Society and the Bushwhacker Museum.

For many years he has also written articles and columns for the Nevada Daily Mail newspaper and various magazines. His articles have won awards as well including Best Article of the Year 1997 from the Missouri Historical Review, Bevier Literary Award Missouri Society, Military Order of the Stars and Bars in 2003.

He decided to put some of his hundreds of columns into book form.

"I decided to put only those columns related to the Civil War into this book," Brophy explained. "All have been fully rewritten, corrected and updated where necessary, better-expressed where possible, woven into a single coherent narrative as well as might be without sacrificing their essential character as stand-alone stories." Brophy added, "I have inserted about a dozen short pieces written by people at the time: letters, memorials, actual words of people who lived at the time. Nothing, however eloquent, that might be spoken about such heroic times and their heroes (and villains) can be half so effective as letting them speak for themselves." He said, "The interest in the Civil War has seen a resurgence in the recent decades, and with the 150 year celebration in 2011, it's bound to increase. In my first piece I stress the fact that when I was growing up, nothing was known or said about the Civil War, it was a dead issue. People knew Nevada had been burned, but knew little more than that. Starting with the Nevada/Vernon County Centennial in 1955 and subsequent anniversaries in 1961 and 1965; and the forming of the Vernon County Historical Society and the opening of the Bushwhacker Museum in 1964; the interest revived and people began to write on the subject. We found we had an exciting and interesting story around here that wasn't known. The duty of the historian is first to 'tell a story.' Just like in fiction, you want the reader eager to find out what happens next." He started the selection and revision work late last year. "I got it together enough to take it to the printers and get the price," he said. "I decided to wait 'til now to start advertising it for advance sales." Brophy said he has distributed a flyer offering his latest book, "Fire and Sword" along with other books he has penned or edited, included "Bushwhackers of the Border," "300 Years: Historical Highlights," and "The Saber and the Ring." Although there has been some response for the book, either alone or in the package deal, Brophy feels advance sales would help offset the costs of publishing.

"It's just a lot to ask of the Historical Society in one lump sum for printing," he said. "Every book we've published is in the black, but that's still a lot of money up front." Through the years, Brophy has donated his talent, skills and time. All income derived from sales of all of his books goes to the not-for-profit Vernon County Historical Society and Bushwhacker Museum.

He points out that sales can continue indefinitely. "If people keep these books in print, it will be a source of income long after we are all dead and gone. We make as much money off selling books as we do on admissions."

The name of this latest book was inspired by that phrase used in a letter written by a man in Balltown in 1866. The cover will be in full color and feature photos of the mural across the street from the Museum.

Brophy hopes this book will inspire new interest in Vernon County's Civil War history, and the hardy folks who settled here.

"Above all to be remembered about 'our' Civil War are those sad sufferings of our ancestors. Likely this is the chief reason so many at first tried so hard to forget; but clearly it's the best reason why we mustn't, why (we hope) all Americans will remember but certainly we must, we true children, in many cases, of those who bled and died for their convictions, and for us," Brophy said.

"Fire and Sword" is available for advance purchase now and will be delivered this autumn. For information call the Bushwhacker Museum at (417) 667-9602 or visit the museum at 212 W. Walnut, Nevada, Mo.

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