Death beyond the Willows, a true Wisconsin story

Presented by Rita Apolonia

Greg Peck’s book, “Death Beyond the Willows”, recounts the 1927 wedding and subsequent tragedy of newlyweds John Pirkl and Hazel Ferguson . The story begins in Marshall, Wisconsin,  in Dane County. John Pirkl and Hazel Ferguson were married on September 27, 1927. After the wedding,  they departed for Pine City,  Minnesota in Johnny’s Chevy with a “Just Married ” sign, and an old shoe and tin cans dangling behind his car. They were warned that they shouldn’t leave that night due to the fog. But they had plans to spend the night in Baraboo, Wisconsin and left anyways. Come hear the story of the tragic events of that night , about the small town activities and farm life , and the religious prejudices of that time period.