Book mixes fiction with WC history 

Book mixes fiction with WC history 

Proceeds from book to benefit Washington County Historical Society

Frank R. Faunce wanted to tell the story of his Washington County ancestors and decided the best way to do that was to self-publish a historical fiction book titled, “The Rifle and The Rose.” 

The book is currently on sale at the Stevens Museum in Salem for $12 and all proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated by Faunce to the Washington County Historical Society. 

“The Rifle and The Rose” is the real-life love story of Robert C. Elliott, who met and fell in love with Elizabeth Campbell, and the eternal love of Robert’s parents, Jane Gaston and William Elliott. The story begins during the Revolutionary War and continues through America’s second war of Independence, the War of 1812, and the settlement of the southern part of the Indiana territory where Abraham Lincoln grew up during his youth. The story is also intertwined with the history of Washington County in those early days. 

Faunce said all of the history in the story is 100 percent true. 

“The only fiction is some of the conversations that were had by my ancestors, because there was no way to know what was actually said during some of those,” he said. “As far as the historical accounts and the things that were taking place, history-wise, in the book, they are 100 percent accurate.”

Even the title of the book has historical significance and ties to Washington County. 

Faunce said the rifle mentioned in the story is owned by his cousin, Eric Johnson, and the red roses mentioned in the book still thrive on Walnut Ridge in Washington County. 

Carolyn Lindley, whose father was Sherman Elliott, places red roses on Elizabeth’s grave, which is located in Covenanter Cemetery on Walnut Ridge each year on Memorial Day. 

Faunce said even the love stories themselves are historically accurate and are based on facts gleaned from historical documents, genealogical information, as well as family letters, documents and oral history that was passed down through the generations. 

In fact, Faunce said he remembers his grandfather, Emerson Rufus Elliott, telling him about Elizabeth and Robert Elliott and what true love looked like for young Hoosiers growing up on Walnut Ridge. 

“Those stories (my grandfather told me) always stuck with me and I get the opportunity to tell them, in a much shorter format, in the form of this book,” he said. 

He currently resides in Georgia and said his inspiration in putting the stories his grandfather told into historical fiction book form came from Margaret Mitchell, who wrote “Gone With the Wind.” 

“Her approach was very similar,” Faunce said. “A lot of the history was very accurate and then she filled in some of the gaps with fiction to tell the story of ‘Gone With the Wind.’ Living in the area of Georgia where she was from, I was very much inspired by her and what she did.”

The love story of the Elliotts on Walnut Ridge likely won’t reach the level of Mitchell’s story -- considered by many one of the greatest love stories ever told -- but for Faunce and those who grew up in Washington County, “The Rifle and The Rose” serves its purpose of keeping that history alive for future generations to learn. 

Faunce said it was an honor to be able to tell the story and he hopes those who read it enjoy the story and the history. He also hopes the historical society is able to make some money off the sales, as well. He said once things settle down after the pandemic he hopes to visit Washington County and do a book signing and possibly bring his cousin’s rifle for people in Washington County to see.  

Besides writing the book, Faunce has a pretty extensive history of his own. 

A dentist by profession, his journey into storytelling was inspired by his travel throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East while serving in the military and presenting lectures at dental schools. 

He is a retired United States Army colonel with an extensive list of tours of duties. 

In between deployments, Faunce maintained a private dentistry practice, was an associate professor and department chair at Emory University in Atlanta.