Walk With You
Scene 12
2016
Jefferson Hotel
St. Louis College
Jefferson Barracks
Music: The Ash Grove - Welsh Folk Song
HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)
St. Louis in the 1830’s was a blooming City.
The levee along the Mississippi River was lined with steamboats that were arriving at a rate of 100 per day.
Charlotte Blow and her sisters Elizabeth and Martha were wearing their best gowns.
They looked on as the elite of St. Louis society were dancing on the steamer Atlantic.
Charlotte was destined to meet her husband Joseph at this dance. Eighteen months later they would be married.
Her family had arrived in May of 1830 with the hopes to open a hotel.
FADE IN:
Jefferson Hotel, St. Louis
HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)
With the last of their money, the Blow's rent a large dwelling.
They call it the Jefferson Hotel, run by Peter Blow. It is their last hope.
Dred Scott carries the guests bags from the Riverboats to the hotel.
Dred gathers coal to heat the guests rooms.
The guests stop and watch the slave auctions and view the slave pens.
AUCTIONEER
How much is offered for this woman?
SLAVE
Crying
AUCTIONEER
She is a good cook and an obedient servant.
HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)
Henry, Taylor, and William Blow enroll in the St. Louis College.
The college opened in 1829 and was the first institution of Higher Learning west of the Mississippi.
Peter Blow business fails within 6 months. They are penniless.
There is an auction to sell the furniture.
Dred is sold to Dr. John Emerson, a Yankee from Pennsylvania.
HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)
Emerson is pale and gangly, over 6 ft 4 inches tall.
Dred and the doctor are stationed at Jefferson Barracks.
Fade to: Wedding ceremony in St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment