PURELY MURDER

A Screenplay by Trina Smolen & Mercedes Maharis
©2007Trina Smolen & Mercedes Maharis Reg. WGAw

In Depth Audio Synopsis, Ila May Fisher, LT Royal E. Whitman's friend

BRIEF SYNOPSIS

On a cold, snowy day in 1910, an old man who owns a saddle shop in Washington, D. C., begins to tell his little granddaughter, Roberta, a story...

Winter, 1871... A handsome Army lieutenant, LT Royal E. Whitman, is hung over at Camp Grant, a desolate outpost in the Arizona Territory near Tucson. He is a former Civil War colonel. He has nightmares about the killing and maiming. He misses his wife and children back in Maine.

Freezing, starving Aravaipa Apache women drag themselves into Camp Grant. Frightened, they wave a makeshift, white flag. Angry settlers have pushed their people out of their hunting grounds. The women are searching for Little Wren, their child, lost in the winter storm. Their desperation deeply moves LT Whitman.

LT Whitman makes contact with their chief, Eskiminzim, who feels that he can trust LT Whitman. He moves his people to the banks of the San Pedro near Camp Grant.

But, LT Whitman's repeated requests up the Army chain of command for emergency food supplies go unanswered. Determined to help save the naked, starving Aravaipas from the brink of extinction, LT Whitman spends his own money to help the tribe. He begins to gain new purpose and meaning in life.

Summer... The Aravaipas plant their food. They are finally settled and happy to see their children thrive. They trade at Camp Grant.

But, trouble brews. The Arizona Territory settlers, Mexican ranchers and Papagos ban together as the "Committee for Public Safety". They despise LT Whitman and his "Camp Grant Injuns'". They make a secret pact to annihilate the Aravaipa band.

LT Whitman races to the Aravaipa refuge... but, he is too late. Distraught by the vigilantes' cruel carnage and the kidnapping of innocent Aravaipa children, LT Whitman and his men offer to help bury the dead. But, Eskiminzim fears for the soldiers' safety. He orders them to leave immediately.

Back in Washington, President Grant fumes. He declares the "Camp Grant Massacre" atrocities “Purely Murder”. He demands justice.

But, instead of justice, the volatile trial in Tucson is a sham. LT Whitman and his men can barely contain themselves during the trial.

In 19 minutes the jury renders its verdict. They justify the murder and subsequent mutilation of 134 Aravaipa women, children and 8 old men...

Wild with grief and anger, Eskiminzim and his warriors repeatedly attack and kill more settlers.

President Grant orders renowned Indian Commissioner, artist, Vincent Colyer to Tucson.

LT Whitman and Agent Colyer rush to diffuse the escalating war. They track and find Chief Eskiminzim, who agrees to stop the attacks, but, Whitman and Colyer they must return the children. They give their word that they will.

In explosive confontations with the prominent settlers who bought the kidnapped children as slaves, LT Whitman and his men rescue the captive, badly abused, Aravaipa children.

True to keeping his word, LT Whitman presents the children to Chief Eskiminzim and their Aravaipa families in an emotional, historic ceremony. Chief Eskiminzim keeps his word. He vows peace. A new era of tolerance in the American West begins.

Her grandfather's story, his life as a young officer way out West, touches little Roberta. She proudly declares that she, too, will always keep her promises, her word. The two embrace and nod off peacefully, grateful to be together.

Based on a true story.

Synopsis of PURELY MURDER by Trina Smolen & Mercedes Maharis. Copyright © 2008 by Trina Smolen & Mercedes Maharis. All rights reserved. No part of this synopsis may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the writers.

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