Highway 152

A love story forged in America's most turbulent era—based on true family history.



Emma Patouille loses everything when Dakota warriors kill her father during the 1862 uprising in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin—America's oldest French colony. Orphaned and traumatized, she finds refuge in a St. Paul cathedral, wondering if she'll ever feel safe again.

Pierre Columbus fights through 14 brutal Civil War battles as a Union teamster, hauling wagons of death across blood-soaked fields. When he returns to Minnesota Territory, he's emotionally shattered—until Emma's letters begin to heal his wounded soul.

Their courtship unfolds through correspondence and stolen moments, but their real journey begins when they homestead 80 acres along Highway 152. Together, they build an ingenious house complete with running water, hot baths, and Minnesota's first residential flush toilet. As Pierre creates mechanical marvels and Emma tames wild animals with remarkable skill, they discover that love isn't just about surviving trauma—it's about building something beautiful from the ashes.

Set against the backdrop of Reconstruction-era America, this intimate portrait of resilience captures the untold stories of French-Canadian settlers who helped forge the American frontier.

Based on the author's great-great-grandparents' real lives, meticulously researched through historical records and family lore.

Edited by David Grigg

Historical Fiction, based on real events.

ISBN: 979-8-89619-483-5

eBook, You will get a EPUB (133KB) file

English only.

100 page, 30,000 word short story.

You can send epub to your Kindle device, click here.

Hard Copy paper version available, click here.

**Key themes / keywords**:

* French‑Canadian settlers

* Dakota Uprising 1862

* Civil War veteran homecoming

* Minnesota Territory homesteading

* Frontier innovation (running water, flush toilet)

* Resilience & rebuilding after trauma

* Historical fiction based on true events

* Pioneer life in 19th‑century America