In the late nineteenth century, West was wild all the way back to the Mississippi River. Only a day’s walk from the progressive big city of St. Louis, rural Jefferson County citizens were struggling with an outbreak of thefts, arson, and more. Mack Marsden, successful livestock trader and family man, was accused of being involved. After Mack was shot and killed, there remained lingering doubts. Was he a criminal, or was he wrongly accused?
Author Joe Johnston tells the fascinating story he uncovered while researching The Mack Marsden Murder Mystery. Of course, he inserts one fiction into this unbelievable but true story.
The following images are courtesy of Joe Johnston.
![Covered Bridge](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/covered-bridge-2-300x225.jpg)
![A side view of the Sandy Creek covered bridge](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Covered-bridge-300x199.jpg)
![Image of a fine boned man with a neat mustache](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mack-Marsden-240x300.jpg)
![Black and White of a man with a large mustache](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sheriff-Weaver-213x300.jpg)
![An older man with a beard and his wife](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Richard-and-Elizabeth-Marsden-2-300x200.jpg)
![](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/McMullin-225x300.jpg)
![black and white drawing of a two story brick building](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hillsboro-jail-300x181.jpg)
![Cover of The Mack Marsden Murder Mystery by Joe Johnston](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/emailcover2-200x300.jpeg)
![Image of Joe Johnston speaking at a lectern](http://factorfictionpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/joejohnston-300x201.jpeg)