Creating Fiction from History: 8/10/2022

Her parents might have had an inkling, but when little Destiny Phantasia Fairchild first appeared on the scene in September of 1871, she looked like a fairly normal newborn baby.

Douglas and Antonia Fairchild obviously knew something, blessing her with such an ostentatious name. In that day and age especially, what with the fledgling nation still reeling from its first civil conflict, people were ready to grasp the slightest little ray of hope.

It didn't take long, then, when she emerged on the shores of Massachusetts, not too far, in fact, from where the shot heard round the world was fired. Having entered this world on the upper shore of Massachusetts, Destiny emerged on the outskirts of a Boston that had already become one of America's largest centers of trade and industry.

Destiny Fairchild was fated to become one of the most famous healers of Salem. Thankfully, she was born nearly 200 years after the fact, or she may have suffered the same fate as many of her forbears. As the case may be, Destiny still had to exercise great care with her practice. Her business came through word of mouth alone, for even though the New England of the 1870s, 80s, and 90s had come a long way since the Dark Times, Destiny learned to only take referrals from those she knew and trusted.

Though Destiny Fairchild became famous for her healing arts, one might never have even heard her name, for even as a Healer, she rarely ever used her real name. You may have heard of her, though maybe by a different name. Destiny lived a long and fruitful life, bringing health and healing to all who were lucky enough to enter her door. In the photograph, which, incidentally, was taken the year the Derby Wharf Light was built, could be pictured the young Healer before anyone knew her as such.

If you would like to create fiction from history with one of the museum's photos, please contact the Ledger at (406) 287-5301 or email whledger@gmail.com.