Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 17, 2002
Historical Colorado story addresses timely topic
Based on a true story, `Man of Honor' penned by Denver native
By Alwen Bledsoe
Francell Lee Schrader's new book "Man of Honor" is historical fiction — but the story of a Colorado Catholic lawyer fighting the executions of two mentally retarded teenagers, 18 and 19, is based in fact and turns out to be a timely topic. Though the execution of the retarded has been outlawed in Colorado for years, it wasn't until the June 20, 2002, Supreme Court Decision "Atkins v. Virginia" that it became illegal throughout the entire United States. The book details what, according to Schrader, was the first case to bring national attention to the execution of the retarded.
"Man of Honor" follows the character James Brandt Lee — idealistic, Irish and Catholic — through World War I, his battles against the Ku Klux Klan, and finally through his efforts to defend two retarded boys against the death penalty. They are executed despite a Denver psychiatrist's testimony that their "mental ages" are only 7 and 8, and despite the lawyer's arguments that their mental retardation made them incapable of determining right from wrong. Their executions sparked off national protests against executing the mentally retarded, Schrader said.
"I do think the book takes on added significance at this time in view of the Supreme Court decision," Schrader said. "I think it adds an interesting historical background to the case."
The book is "90 percent fact and 10 percent fiction," Schrader said. The case of the executed teenage boys was an actual Colorado case, though she's changed the names and some of the details. The character of Lee is based largely on her father, Robert Emmet Lee, and though the execution plays a large part in "Man of Honor," it is Lee who plays the star role in the book.
"I knew, of course, (execution of the retarded) was an issue, but all my life I wanted to write a book about my father," she said.
Schrader's admiration for her father is tangible in the pages of "Man of Honor." She didn't want to write a biography and be forced to stick to exact events, but instead wanted to write in one of her favorite genres — historical fiction, she said. The book, she added, embodies the spirit, meaning and significance of her father's life. While the dialogue and some details are invented, the integrity and work of James Brandt Lee are rooted in the actual life of Robert Emmet Lee.
In "Man of Honor" Lee studies law, becomes a lawyer and dedicates much of his life to defending the poor, fighting the Ku Klux Klan and supporting Al Smith's campaign for the presidency.
"I think he exemplifies all that was best about the Irish Catholic Community and about that generation in America," she said, later adding: "I have a great love and admiration for him and it just came out naturally. I thought his story was a story that should be told, and that he would be an inspiration and example to people if I could tell his story. He really lived up to his ideals everyday."
According to Tom Noel's "Colorado Catholicism," the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado was second only to Indiana's Klan in power and membership, with over 35,000 Coloradans joining during the 1920s. KKK members served as mayor of Denver, governor of Colorado and as U.S. congressman during the 20s.
The story of James Brandt Lee's fight against bigotry aimed at Catholics, Jews and African-Americans figures prominently into Schrader's story.
"It's good to show people that right did triumph," Schrader said. "It was true that the (KKK) boasted that no black or Catholic or Jew would hold public office in Colorado. Now we have a black mayor in Denver and an Irish Catholic woman in the (Colorado) Supreme Court and a Catholic governor in Owens thanks to men like James Brandt Lee."
The youngest child of the Lee family, Schrader was born after poor health had forced her father to retire, but she grew up hearing stories of his professional life from family and friends. The book is the second product of the retired elementary school teacher's "third career."
"First I raised four children and then I got to teach for 20 years and now I'm retired and get to write, which is what I always wanted to do," she explained.
"Man of Honor" can be found online at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com, or ask for it and have it ordered at any bookstore.
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