Murder, Char Wrote. The Hub talks with the author of Madge

The Hub's chat with Irvingtonian Charlotte Halsema Ottinger, author of Madge: The life and times of Madge Oberholtzer, the young Irvington woman who brought down D.C. Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan. Mark your calendar: Madge: The Exhibit. Opening Aug 1 at the Bona. 5350 E University. Sponsored by Deb Kent's crew at Gallery of Homes Real Estate.

THE HUB: Why did you decide to write this book?

Charlotte Halsema Ottinger (CHO) : I learned about Madge Oberholtzer (1896-1925) when I moved to the Eastside in 1996. Every written piece that mentioned her focused mainly on her abductor, Klan leader D.C. Stephenson. Very little was discussed about Madge even though her historic deathbed statement resulted in Stephenson going to prison and ended his ambition to reach the White House. I wanted to know more about her. The little information that was available about Madge seemed to imply she might have somehow been responsible for her own rape and assault or that she had questionable morals. Classic victim shaming, which proved to be completely incorrect based on my research. The more I learned about her, the more I felt compelled to share her side of the story. Her life shouldn’t be defined by the crime that was committed against her.

THE HUB: Many local residents are familiar with this woman’s story. What information surprised you as you were researching the book? Anything in particular that’s not already known in the local lore?

CHO: I was quite surprised to learn that Madge had studied art under some of the most prominent and well-known Indiana artists. She was awarded scholarships to study under Otto Stark, Clifton Wheeler, and William Forsyth at the Herron Art Institute while she was still a student at Manual Training High School. (It is now called Emmerich Manual High School.)

It also impressed me that in an era when very few people owned automobiles, or “machines,” Madge earned enough money to buy her own car and taught herself to drive. She even traveled out west with her friend for two months when roads were quite primitive, women rarely traveled unescorted, and hotels didn’t yet exist.

Early in my research I discovered Madge belonged to a national sorority at Butler. Sorority and fraternity affiliation was quite common in the 1900s. It turned out that she belonged to the same sorority that I did, so I was able to access information about her from the sorority archives to which few have access. Her sorority sisters attended the trial, testified at parole hearings, and defended her character even decades after her death.

THE HUB: What effect did it have on you emotionally to write this? Describe how It affected you?

CHO: As a nurse, I took great interest in Madge’s autopsy report and descriptions of her injuries and medical interventions. I was very disturbed by the severity of the injuries that were inflicted by D.C. Stephenson. During the 1920s, sexual assault and battery were spoken about in whispered tones and graphic descriptions were avoided in print, so the extent of her injuries wasn’t well known. When I understood more clearly how she had suffered, I came to appreciate how physically and emotionally strong she was.

Quite a bit of my book follows the various members of the Oberholtzer family after Madge’s death. I was really affected by the continuing struggles and angst the Oberholtzer family endured each time Stephenson tried to win his freedom. I was surprised to find out their phone had been tapped, and they had received death threats.

It was encouraging to find that well-respected members of the Irvington community, like Grace Julian Clarke, Jennie Brown (Mrs. Hilton U. Brown), and Thomas Carr Howe, knew Madge well and didn’t hesitate to step forward in support of her honor and reputation. I was proud of the way they “circled their wagons” to defend her integrity, and it reminded me a lot of the community support and spirit that still exists in Irvington today. At Madge’s funeral, the Reverend Charles H. Winders stated, “We are here in our neighbor’s house because we have lived in this community together, and are interested in each other’s sorrows, and each other’s happiness.” This statement could easily be said about Irvington today.

THE HUB: How would you describe Madge? What kind of woman was she?

CHO: In the 1920s, few women attended college. Most married shortly after high school. But things were beginning to change. Madge embodied that change. She was quite independent and seemed more interested in her career than in “settling down.” White women had just earned the right to vote in 1920; by 1925 Madge had developed an interest in politics and was acting as an informal lobbyist in areas affecting education in Indiana.

Madge was close to her family. She still lived at home – not unusual for an unmarried female in that era. She enjoyed social events and attended church regularly. She was intelligent and principled.

While in agonizing pain, Madge was offered medical attention only if she agreed to marry D.C. Stephenson. She refused – twice! This alone speaks to her rectitude. Although described as somewhat shy, Madge was confident enough to speak truth to the greatest power in Indiana – D.C. Stephenson – even if it meant sharing the most intimate and humiliating details of the assault.

THE HUB: How has this book inspired you?

CHO: I have been truly inspired by the impact one woman’s words could have. Imagine how different our country might be if Madge hadn’t spoken out and D.C. Stephenson had succeeded in reaching the White House. Other women before Madge chose not to report being assaulted by Stephenson. If she has stayed quiet, many more women might have been assaulted.

Writing this book has made me more aware of, and interested in, exploring the lives of other Irvington and Indianapolis women from earlier decades who contributed greatly to our community but may not have received the attention they deserved.

Madge is published by the Irvington Historical Society with distribution in October. Retails for $35.00. Pre-orders $30.00. Fifty percent of the proceeds go to the Irvington Historical Society. Three delivery options: Shipping $5.00; pick up for free, or free delivery within 46219. To order visit: https://irvingtonhistoricalsociety.square.site/