344 pages
The inverted triangular tip of Southern Illinois is surrounded by the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In Darcy OBrien’s True Life Crime story of Dr Dale Cavaness, this region known as “Little Egypt” plays a key role. “Dr Dale” returns home to the rough and rural mining town of Eldorado to begin his medical practice. As many country doctors in the 1960’s, he is responsible for most of the area’s medical needs, from general practitioner to surgeon. To his community he is well-loved and respected, a larger than life influence and a man too good to be true. Unfortunately for his family, his Dr Jekyll persona is off-set by his Mr. Hyde behavior at home. A cold and un-caring father, he physically and verbally abuses his wife and their 4 sons. The years of alcohol, cheating, and lavish spending eventually send his life spiraling out of control. Facing financial ruin he turns to murder to collect insurance on not one, but two of his sons over a seven year period.
Perhaps as disturbing as these heinous acts is this community’s effort to protect their own in light of ever-mounting evidence against the “good doctor.” Patients and friends rally to not only support him, but refuse to cooperate with the investigators of these young men’s murders.
The reader has the benefit of the complete story down to the final verdict, expertly researched and documented by Mr. O’Brien. The cold hard facts are compelling. What is more difficult to comprehend is how an entire region bands together to shelter this man, innocent or guilty. In their minds the difference is barely discernible.
Like much True Crime writing the real interest lies in the “psychological dynamics behind these ghastly crimes.” Written in 1989, the investigation is rather dated compared to today’s forensic tools and extensive resources. Murder in Little Egypt is entertaining in the same voyeuristic way of In Cold Blood or Helter Skelter. So readers beware!
Mr O’Brien its only a Rock and a Chalk for this effort.
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