Book Review: The Time of Eddie Noel by Allie Povall

The year was 1953. Lu Ethel Noel worked at the honky-tonk store of Willie Ramon Dichard. The honky-tonk was quickly filling with both black and white customers for an evening of dance and drink. Lu Ethel Noel busily filled the drink orders of the black clientele because at that time in Harland Creek, Mississippi, “no white man … would wait on black men.”

Lu Ethel Noel appeared to be owned by Willie Ramon Dichard. To her real husband, Eddie Noel, this just did not seem right. He hated the hours he spent alone during evenings while his wife, Lu Ethel, worked at the honky-tonk store/bar. He despised even more the idea that his wife and the honky-tonk owner were lovers.

At his wits end, Eddie Noel courageously confronted the bar owner, stating he came to take his Lu Ethel home. Outraged, Dichard said Lu Ethel would work until closing time and then he’d escort her home. Noel ignored the white man and took his wife by the arm and started for the door. The bar owner, a larger man than Eddie, stopped the pair and a wrestling match began. Eddie was carried outside and thrown off the honky-tonk porch by Willie Dichard.

Eddie would not give up his fearless obsessive fight. Regaining his feet, he slid out a rifle from his automobile and hid it beside his leg. This time, when Willie Ramon approached him, Eddie aimed his .22 directly at Ramon’s chest. In the year 1953, people were certain of one thing: “A black man would never shoot a white man. Never.” Willie Ramon told Eddie to put down his rifle. CRACK — Eddie’s rifle talked; he had enough chatter from the dying honky-tonk owner.

A reader can only imagine the manhunt that ensued after the killing. Immediately afterward, Eddie Noel’s car was trapped in the darkness by two autos coming from opposite directions. A crack shot, Eddie killed one pursuer and blew out his tires. His accurate aim kept both parties hiding at a distance until he escaped on foot into the woods.

Article Author: Regis Schilken

Regis Schilken's stories reflect his search for meaning in a very human but frightening way. Three of his books have been published: The Oculi Incident, The Island Off Stony Point, and a third, You Know When was just recently released. …

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