A U.S. Naval vessel came upon debris of a recently sunken ship one sunny morning in 1855. The Captain ordered boats lowered to search through the flotsam in an effort to determine the name of the ship and its origin. The search did not confirm the name of the ship but did provide enough evidence to conclude the ship had been from Ireland and bound to the United States with a load of immigrants. The most surprising find, however, was a basket floating gently on the waves, its bouyantcy providing a safe haven for the lone survivor of the tragedy. A baby girl of only a few months age slept within. Wrapped carefully in fine cloth and blankets, she awoke to smile joyfully at her saviors, her blue eyes sparkling as the sun reflected from her golden hair. The only other item in the basket was a family Bible bearing the name Monahan, apparently placed there by a loving parent as the ship went to its death.

A baby on board a fighting ship was the cause of much excitement and a relief from the monotony of life on the sea in time of peace. The Chief Petty Officer, with approval of the Captain, immediately devised a duty roster among the fathers in the crew to care for the child. Then throughout the ship a debate began over a proper name for the girl since the Bible had not included a family tree, only the name Monahan. Many names were submitted and a formal vote was taken. The name selected paid homage to the hopes and dreams of the lost immigrants, the ship that found her, and the world's great experiment in democracy. They named her, America.

First Lieutenant Rory Butler, his service to his country due to end when the ship docked in New York, received permission from the Captain to take charge of the infant Monahan so that he and his childless wife could raise her as their own. Constance Butler was overjoyed when her husband met her on the New York pier. Not only was Rory home safe from the sea, a civilian ready for a new life, but they were parents. Though fragile of health, she was strong of spirit and vowed that little America would want for nothing as she grew to be a lady of quality. Rory rejoined the family mercantile business and the three lived quite happily for several years. When America was five years of age her father was offered the opportunity to establish the family business in the gateway to the West, St. Louis. The business was a quick success and two years later the family moved to Kansas City and repeated their previous accomplishment. Their happiness turned to grief only six months after the move when Constance became ill and died suddenly. Rory's bereavement was intense and his family in New York urged him to return home. That, he knew he could not do. New York held too many happy memories. Instead, he chose to move on to Wichita. Rory felt that a change of scenery and the challenge of starting another store would help him and his daughter adjust to life without Constance. As a former Naval Officer and successful businessman, Rory had complete confidence in his ability to travel safely with only his young daughter at his side. Unfortunately his confidence was not justified. A gang of drunken ruffians gave chase to their carriage while still fifty miles east of Wichita. Cresting a hill a full speed, a wheel hit a rock, catapulting America into a thicket of buck brush and out of sight of the pursuers. Rory lost control of the horses, the wagon crashed and his neck was broken. The desperadoes did not come upon the unconscious America and proceeded to take everything of value from the wreckage. This time, in a sea of grass, America was once again alone.

A woman of many redeeming qualities but a social outcast, found the dazed America a day later as the young girl wandered alone in the wilderness some miles from the scene of the wagon wreckage. Susanna was unable to learn much from the girl. The girl knew her name was America Monahan, yet all memory of the Butler's and her past life was gone forever. Susanna set the girl behind her in the saddle and continued her journey to Texas where she took on the duties of a cook with a trail drive. She made several half-hearted attempts to find a good home for America, but her growing attachment to the child and America's dependence on her kept them together. Susanna had little to fear from the cow hands along the trail. She could ride as good as any man and shoot better than most. But her greatest weapon was that which kept her a loner most of her life. She was probably the ugliest woman west of the Mississippi. Though well proportioned, even beautiful from the neck down, the area between her chin and hair was a disaster of nature. Her soul though was every bit as beautiful as her face was ugly. After several years of cooking for various outfits she realized that America was fast approaching an age that would draw men's attention. When her latest cattle drive ended in Wichita she decided to stay. Finding a job was not easy and the pair crossed the river into Delano. There she saw the Delano Dollies perform and thought that she might have found her future. Fancy dressed and hiding under several pounds of face paint she auditioned for the group. She was accepted on two conditions, she would always dance in the back row and never mingle with the audience. Susanna and America had found their home.

Over the years America was constantly around the Dollies, at all the rehearsals and all the shows. It was a happy existence for her, marred only by having to attend school. In her fourteenth year she arrived back from school one day to the cabin she shared with Susanna only to find it empty. All of Susanna's clothing and possessions were still there, but of her, not a trace. The Dollies and some of their gentlemen friends searched throughout Delano and Wichita without success. The Dollies accepted America as their youngest ever member. She fit in well with her new 'family', always portraying a bright and sunny visage even though she would never know anything of Susanna again, never remember her life as part of the Butler family nor the parents that had started her on the journey from the Emerald Isle to the land for which she was named.