Historical novel tells story of the Badger Riot

A new novel, "The Badger Riot," by J.A. Ricketts, tells the story of a 50-year-old event in Newfoundland's history, which many remember as if it was yesterday.

In 1959, the small town of Badger was the centre of a labour confrontation. For two and a half months, loggers had been striking for better wages and working conditions.

Led by the International Woodworkers of America (IWA), the strike reached its climax when national and provincial police forces stormed the town in an attempt to break the impasse.

"The Badger Riot" tells the story of the deadly melee that followed, and resulted in the death of Cst. William Moss of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

This work of fiction captures the horror of a small community of people still feeling the shock of a tragedy that could have been prevented.

While the book is a work of fiction, Ricketts's human drama stays true to the facts. Her novel relates political and historical events surrounding the strike, and makes use of eye-witness accounts, but these are embedded within a family story of the author's imagining.

As Ricketts explains: "Many characters, such as Ralph, Jennie, Tom and Vern are completely fictitious, although the events are true and accurate as I witnessed, and many others … related to me during conversations. As well, you will find mention of historical figures such as J. R. Smallwood, then premier of Newfoundland, H. Landon Ladd, IWA organizer, and of course Constable William Moss of the RNC."

Since its publication, Ricketts's book has done extremely well.

And, according to The Telegram, during the launch of her book in Badger on Sept. 12, she received a standing ovation from a crowd that had gathered at the community centre.
Readers have also shown Ricketts that they just really like the story, and want to know more about what happens to her characters.

Ricketts told The Telegram that readers are "focusing on the characters who have become so real to them. They want to know, what happened to Ralph? What happened to Jennie? What happened to Tom?"

Readers won't have to wait long to find out because Ricketts is already working on a followup novel.

Ask for "The Badger Riot" at your nearest public library.

Darrell Squires is assistant manager of Public Information and Library Resources Board, West Newfoundland-Labrador division. You can contact him at: dsquires@nlpl.ca or by phone at 634-7333.