Based on the historical tragedy of the hurricane of 1900 that decimated Galveston, Texas, leaving the island city in ruins and killing thousands, Oleander City tells the true story of the tragic deaths of all ninety-three children from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word orphanage - except for one little girl who miraculously survived – and how a storied boxing match between two of America’s most legendary boxers changed the fortunes of the city and exposed an insidious secret society determined to return Galveston to its former glory at all costs.
Desperate to raise money for the recovery effort, city leaders organized an exhibition boxing match between the enigmatic veteran “Chrysanthemum Joe” Choynski, a flamboyant, theater-loving fashion plate and the greatest Jewish boxer in American history, and the young hometown hero and novice boxer Jack Johnson, known as “The Galveston Giant.” The battle between these men produced a special bond between the two fighters and sparked the career of Johnson who would go on to be the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.
Meanwhile, Clara Barton and the American Red Cross negotiate the aftermath of the storm, trying to care for the homeless and hungry as masked men on horseback use the chaotic situation to intimidate and murder “undesirables.” After witnessing a terrible crime, the surviving orphan girl finds sanctuary with the ladies of the Red Cross and develops her own emotional bond with Chrysanthemum Joe, resulting in a heartrending convergence of these famous American historical figures.
Desperate to raise money for the recovery effort, city leaders organized an exhibition boxing match between the enigmatic veteran “Chrysanthemum Joe” Choynski, a flamboyant, theater-loving fashion plate and the greatest Jewish boxer in American history, and the young hometown hero and novice boxer Jack Johnson, known as “The Galveston Giant.” The battle between these men produced a special bond between the two fighters and sparked the career of Johnson who would go on to be the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.
Meanwhile, Clara Barton and the American Red Cross negotiate the aftermath of the storm, trying to care for the homeless and hungry as masked men on horseback use the chaotic situation to intimidate and murder “undesirables.” After witnessing a terrible crime, the surviving orphan girl finds sanctuary with the ladies of the Red Cross and develops her own emotional bond with Chrysanthemum Joe, resulting in a heartrending convergence of these famous American historical figures.
Jack Johnson, circa 1900.
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Jack & Joe being released from Galveston Jail, March 21, 1901. Sheriff Henry Thomas shakes Joe's hand as Jack stands between them, surrounded by deputies and other city officials. The little girl (and dog) in the foreground are unknown.
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Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, circa 1901
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The orphans of St. Mary's, Sisters of the Incarnate Word, Galveston, TX. The orphanage was destroyed and 93 girls were killed, many tied together with rope by the nuns, some still clinging to each other in death. A WalMart now stands on the site of the orphanage. There are many reports of children's laughter, footsteps, and toys falling from the shelves in the store.
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Red Cross Memorial, Galveston TX
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Aftermath of the 1900 Hurricane.
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Joe Choynski in his prime, circa 1890
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Publicity still photo for Joe vs. James Jeffries, 1897.
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KKK initiation ceremony, Houston, 1921.