Novels2023-The Frozen River
by Ariel Lawhon
Contents
Part 1: A Hanging — Pollard’s Tavern (Chapter 4)
Overview
At Pollard’s Tavern, Martha examines the corpse from the Kennebec and confirms that the dead man is Joshua Burgess. Her inspection shows that Burgess did not simply die in the river: he was brutally beaten, hanged, and then thrown into the ice, turning his death into an unmistakable murder tied to the town’s fury over Rebecca Foster’s accusation.
The chapter also sharpens two larger conflicts. The townsmen’s sympathy for Rebecca suggests Burgess may have been killed as revenge, and the arrival of Dr. Benjamin Page threatens Martha’s control over the evidence and over the story that will be told about Burgess’s death.
Summary
Martha rides with James Wall to Pollard’s Tavern before dawn, hoping to examine the body from the river before Colonel North or Dr. Cony can interfere. The tavern has been turned into a temporary mortuary, and the seven men who cut the corpse from the ice are anxious and unruly inside. Amos and Moses Pollard explain that they moved the body to the storeroom rather than leave it in the common room.
In the storeroom, Martha begins her examination with Moses assisting her. Once lanterns are brought in, Martha immediately identifies the dead man as Joshua Burgess by the distinctive birthmark at his temple. She also sees clear signs that Burgess has been hanged: his neck is broken, rope burns mark his throat, and the wound at his neck is severe.
Martha questions Moses and the other men and learns that no rope was found on the body when Burgess was cut from the ice. That detail convinces Martha that someone removed the rope after the hanging, which makes the death look even more deliberate. While examining Burgess, Martha also makes sure his animals and property will be secured now that he is dead.
When Martha cuts away Burgess’s remaining clothing, she finds extensive injuries across his body: broken ribs, a broken arm and fingers, heavy bruising, facial damage, and crushed genitals. The violence shows that Burgess was badly beaten before or around the time he was hanged and then thrown into the river. The men’s reactions, especially Moses’s blunt comment that Burgess deserved it for harming Rebecca Foster, reveal how strongly part of Hallowell believes Rebecca’s accusation and how easily vengeance could have motivated the killing.
After completing her inspection, Martha states her conclusion plainly: Joshua Burgess was beaten, hanged, and thrown in the river. At that moment, Dr. Benjamin Page arrives in Dr. Cony’s absence. Young, newly credentialed, and condescending, Page immediately tries to dismiss Martha’s work and claim authority over the examination, setting up a conflict over who gets to define the truth of Burgess’s death.
Who Appears
- Martha Ballardmidwife and examiner who identifies Burgess and concludes he was murdered
- Moses Pollardtavern keeper’s son who assists Martha during the examination
- Joshua Burgessdead accused rapist whose battered body reveals hanging and murder
- Dr. Benjamin Pageyoung replacement physician who arrives and tries to overrule Martha
- Amos Pollardtavern owner who organizes the men and gives Martha access to the body
- James Wallbrings Martha to the tavern before others can interfere