Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told
By: Natalie Zett
Language: en-us
Categories: History, Fiction, Religion, Spirituality
"Flower in the River" podcast, inspired by my book of the same name, explores the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago and its enduring impact, particularly on my family's history. We'll explore the intertwining narratives of others impacted by this tragedy as well, and we'll dive into writing and genealogy and uncover the surprising supernatural elements that surface in family history research. Come along with me on this journey of discovery.
Episodes
When Research Starts Talking Back
Jan 08, 2026Send us a text
When Research Starts Talking Back
What happens when your research doesn’t just sit there quietly… but starts nudging you, whispering, insisting you dig deeper?
In this episode, I try something a little different. After sharing my 2025 retrospective, The Search Goes On — Coincidence. Clarity. Resolve., I handed that episode to Google’s NotebookLM—an AI tool many genealogists are exploring—and let it analyze the work.
The result? Two AI research companions, Eva and Max (NotebookLM’s AI hosts), listen to my last episode and talk back—anal...
Duration: 00:21:42The Search Goes On — Coincidence. Clarity. Resolve.
Jan 01, 2026Send us a text
A single number can shape how we remember—until new evidence asks us to look again. This episode takes you inside another year of research on the people of the Eastland disaster, where a repeated death toll gives way to an evolving, documented estimate. I share how two overlooked victims surfaced through archival work, and why adding their names is crucial for families, historians, and anyone who believes facts should lead the story—not follow it.
This journey isn't just archival; it's personal and communal. I discuss the engine of citizen gene...
Duration: 00:30:45Pages, Faces, and Names Restored - A Czech Eastland Breakthrough
Dec 25, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, we return to Chicago's Czech community and uncover something extraordinary: an original 1916 Czech-language publication that didn't just tell the story of the Eastland disaster—it preserved more than 100 photographs of Czech women, men and children who lost their lives during the Eastland Disaster.
Many of these photos haven't been seen since the article was published in 1916. You'll hear how finding this rare primary source adds depth, texture, and nuance to our understanding of the tragedy.
🌊 What's inside
Meet Josef Mach, the... Duration: 00:28:42One Family, Two Losses, and a Voice That Went On
Dec 18, 2025Send us a text
A century-old trade journal shouldn’t be the most gripping thing you’ll hear about this week, but here we are: a 1915 issue of The American Lumberman unlocks the intertwined stories of Chicago’s Czech community in the aftermath of the Eastland disaster. We trace a death notice—Julia Kolar—through a maze of addresses, parish ties, and workplace notes. We then follow the thread to meet another victim, Anna Molitor Kolar, and a survivor, Ellla Kolar, whose voice would carry from Chicago to Milan.
We walk through the exact research steps that...
The River Remained in Her Bones: A Recovered Eastland Story
Dec 11, 2025Send us a text
The River Remained in Her Bones: A Recovered Eastland Story
A single line in a 1922 obituary can change the shape of history. We follow that thread to Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen, who survived the SS Eastland capsizing by clinging to the overturned hull, “was never well since,” and died seven years later from complications tied directly to that morning on the Chicago River. This isn’t just a moving story; it’s documented evidence that challenges the fixed perception of the Eastland death toll and reveals how disasters reverberate through families...
Duration: 00:33:13A Hero at the Porthole: The Rabe Family’s Story
Dec 04, 2025Send us a text
A forgotten headline. A crowded dock. A father who turns back to a capsized ship and pulls a family friend through a porthole. In this episode, we follow the Rabe family—Fred, Delia, Grace, and Kenneth—from a terrifying morning on the Chicago River into the decades that followed, when work, service, and community stitched their lives into something livable again. We open the archive, and listen as Grace and Kenneth share their memories of that day, 84 years later.
Grace becomes a skilled comptometer operator at Western Electric, part of a large...
Duration: 00:31:58Fissures in the Archive: Behind the Curtain of the Eastland Disaster
Nov 27, 2025Send us a text
Some histories don’t fracture because records vanished; they fracture because we stopped asking questions. In this episode, we look at the Eastland Disaster through a different lens — not just what happened in 1915, but how its story has been curated, simplified, and sometimes commercialized, and how we can repair and restore it with evidence.
I share what two years of deep research (and new academic work) revealed: there’s no agreed standard for who qualifies as an Eastland victim, and no peer-reviewed, source-cited list — even though a mid-1990s tally has often be...
Duration: 00:33:44Capsized. Kicked. Survived.
Nov 20, 2025Send us a text
A photographer’s byline led me straight into another long-overlooked Eastland story — the 1965 Chicago Tribune interview with survivor Anna Meinert, one of the many accounts from this event that were well documented but seldom researched and carried forward.
Anna’s memories bring the morning of July 24, 1915 into sharp, human focus.
Fifty years later she could still see it all: water seeping from portholes, the sudden lurch, the scrap of canvas above a window, a stranger’s boot kicking her away, and the two other strangers whose hands pulled h...
Duration: 00:28:03The Rosetta Stone of the Eastland Disaster
Nov 13, 2025Send us a text
Tracing the Eastland story back to the people who first preserved it online.
This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on how, in the late 1990s, the Eastland Disaster story was rediscovered, shaped, reshaped, and carried onto the early Internet (courtesy of the Eastland Memorial Society). But when that original website vanished, some of its content — including family-written stories and volunteer research — resurfaced in later retellings without the names of the people who first contributed them.
In other words, the attribution was MIA.
And I’ll s...
Duration: 00:44:37She Stayed on the Line: From the Eastland Disaster to the Front Lines of France
Nov 06, 2025Send us a text
Sirens, floodwater, shattering glass, and a calm voice saying, “Just a moment, please.” We revisit the women who turned raw noise into order—telephone operators whose steady hands and quick minds kept cities connected and, in wartime, helped save lives on the front lines.
We start in Chicago with the Eastland disaster and widen the lens to the “Hello Girls,” the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit. These bilingual women carried commands across the trenches, cut confusion to seconds, and worked under fire in wooden barracks —yet they weren’t officially recognized as...
The Afterlife of a Story
Oct 30, 2025Send us a text
What happens when the storyteller is gone—but the story keeps rewriting itself?
A single family biography can carry the weight of a neighborhood’s memory. We open the archives on a 20-year-old Western Electric employee who boarded the Eastland with her fiancé in 1915—and trace how her story, first written by a family member, nearly disappeared under paraphrase and missing attribution.
What begins as a personal account of loss becomes a blueprint for preserving authorship, provenance, and trust across the fragile web.
What began a...
Duration: 00:34:32From Sea to City: A Mariner’s Journey into Chicago’s Past
Oct 23, 2025Send us a text
A city comes alive when you can stand on a corner and glimpse yesterday behind today’s skyline. That’s the spark behind my conversation with Ryan Wilson, a designer and mariner who turned countless hours in archives into the Chicago History Map—a large-format, interactive portal where high-resolution photos meet precise locations and time fades just enough for details to surface.
We talk about the winding path that led from Admiralty charts on private yachts to digitized street scenes, and why visual design can make genealogy, urban history, and public memory...
The Eastland Survivors and the Case of the Missing Bylines
Oct 16, 2025Send us a text
Memory can vanish quietly—sometimes with a server shutdown. This week, we open the door to the Eastland disaster’s online past: from an early researcher’s dial-up “postcard pages” to an early Eastland website’s now-defunct archive. We trace how those pioneering digital efforts shaped what many of us think we know today.
Along the way, we revisit transportation historian George Hilton’s foundational work—his flexible approach to casualty counts and the permissions that seeded the first online lists. We also explain why numbers in mass tragedies should stay open to revision...
Duration: 00:34:36Excursion to Death — The Witness Who Finally Spoke
Oct 09, 2025Send us a text
A tug’s line goes taut, a mandolin stops mid-note, and a sleek steamer rolls onto its side in six minutes. That’s the scene an eight-year-old John Griggs never forgot—and the memory he later captured in a gripping article, “Excursion to Death,” lost for decades and now brought back to light. We trace the morning’s small warnings at the dock, the sudden tilt that turned joy into panic, and the eerie contrast of the Eastland disaster unfolding within sight of Chicago’s bridges and streetcars.
From that riverbank, the story wide...
Visiting Every Grave - George Hilton’s Eastland Legacy
Oct 02, 2025Send us a text
A century after his birth, George W. Hilton is still guiding our footsteps. This episode honors the transportation historian whose book Eastland: Legacy of the Titanic became the cornerstone of Eastland disaster research. After discovering my own family connection to the Eastland Disaster, Hilton’s work became my north star.
What begins with grief — and a surprise manuscript from a relative — unfolds into a story about how scholarship, storytelling, and stubborn love for truth can rescue memory from the margins.
I share the early frustration of facing Hilton’s dense fo...
Duration: 00:39:13Buried by Omission: The Eastland Victim Who Disappeared
Sep 25, 2025Send us a text
This week we take a deeper dive into the Claims and Libels files (In the Matter of the Petition of St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company, Owner of the Steamer Eastland, For Limitation of Liability) preserved in the National Archives Catalog. The research revealed a startling omission — a victim missing from the original compilation of Eastland victims and from most later derivative lists (with one exception!)
By cross-checking court filings, obituaries, and family connections, I was able to restore a missing piece of the Eastland story.
This episode is also a tr...
Duration: 00:34:08True Tales from the Eastland: Admiral Rickover Remembers, Survivors Battle for Redress
Sep 18, 2025Send us a text
Admiral Hyman Rickover—father of the nuclear navy and one of the most influential military figures of the 20th century—had a connection to the 1915 Eastland disaster that’s been virtually forgotten. As a 15-year-old Western Union messenger in Chicago, young Rickover delivered telegrams to grieving families throughout the night following the tragedy. What haunted him most? The undertakers who swarmed the scene, exploiting grief-stricken families for profit. “Where money is involved,” Rickover later wrote, “some people will stop at nothing to get it.”
This discovery emerged from a 1979 newspaper article—one of many over...
Duration: 00:39:14Shoeless in Chicago: A Rusyn Teen Hero of the Eastland
Sep 11, 2025Send us a text
At just 17 years old, Peter Hardy stood on a Chicago bridge in 1915, watching the Eastland fill with happy Western Electric employees on their way to a summer picnic. Moments later, the ship rolled onto its side, plunging more than 800 people to their deaths.
Peter didn’t run. This Rusyn immigrant teenager dove straight into the polluted Chicago River and began hauling people out — families clinging together, strangers fighting for breath. He saved at least ten lives that morning before finally staggering away, shaken but alive. And in the chaos, looters stole the...
Duration: 00:36:43Erased by a Typo — Meet the Man Who Saved Lives and Legacies
Sep 04, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I return to Dwight Boyer’s "True Tales of the Great Lakes" and discuss two forgotten heroes of the 1915 Eastland disaster—one remembered correctly, the other erased for more than a century by a newspaper typo that turned my fact-check into a full-blown genealogical detective story.
The Mystery Begins
While researching Boyer's account of the disaster, I encountered two names that appeared nowhere else in most modern Eastland documentation: N.W. LeVally, and J.H. “Rista,” who reportedly saved 40 lives. Both men had crucial roles in t...
Duration: 00:40:08Honeymoon Interrupted: The Groom Says "I Do" to Disaster
Aug 28, 2025Send us a text
Hidden stories have a way of finding the light. In this fascinating deep dive, we uncover two previously unknown documents that reshape our understanding of the 1915 Eastland disaster that claimed over 800 lives in the Chicago River.
The first discovery reveals how the tragedy transformed American journalism. Through a December 1915 Associated Press Service Bulletin, we glimpse the behind-the-scenes response of the nation's leading news agency and hear the voices of newspaper editors across the Midwest praising the AP's "remarkable" coverage for its "promptness and accuracy." These testimonials from Kentucky to South Dakota...
The Sleepyhead Who Dodged Death - Another Untold Eastland Story
Aug 21, 2025Send us a text
Three young engineers fresh out of Cornell University were running late to the Western Electric company picnic on July 24, 1915. One had overslept, making the trio miss their train and arrive at the Chicago River docks just as their coworkers were boarding the SS Eastland. Redirected to a secondary boat due to overcrowding, they stood on a bridge and watched in horror as the Eastland slowly tilted, then capsized in the shallow water, trapping hundreds inside. Their tardiness had saved their lives.
This remarkable eyewitness account of the Eastland disaster might have...
Lost in Translation: How a Name Hid a Hero
Aug 14, 2025Send us a text
One shout could have saved lives.
On the morning of the Eastland Disaster, a lone street peddler saw the danger before anyone else. His warning was met with laughter and scorn, and while his experience was recounted in the papers, it was under the wrong name.
In this episode, we return to Dwight Boyer’s True Tales of the Great Lakes and follow one story back in time—stepping onto Chicago’s Clark Street Bridge on July 24, 1915, and tracing the trail from century-old newspapers—first to the real name, an...
Duration: 00:32:33Who Speaks for Dwight Boyer? The Storyteller Who Remembered Them All
Aug 07, 2025Send us a text
In this week’s episode, I continue reading from "Who Speaks for the Little Feller?"—Dwight Boyer’s unforgettable chapter in "True Tales of the Great Lakes" (1971), one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of the Eastland disaster. A meticulous maritime journalist, Boyer combined accuracy with deep empathy, giving voice to the people whose lives were forever altered that day.
This isn’t just history—it’s storytelling with heart. Names, quotes, context—it’s all there. Decades before anyone else tried to piece this together, Boyer had already done the work. George...
Dwight Boyer: Forgotten Chronicler of the Eastland Disaster
Jul 31, 2025Send us a text
What We’re Covering:
Maritime journalist Dwight Boyer (1912–1977) published a detailed Eastland Disaster account in 1971—more than two decades before most major works on the subjectHis chapter in True Tales of the Great Lakes draws from courtroom records, witness interviews, and primary source materialAlthough George Hilton cited Boyer in Eastland: Legacy of the Titanic, Boyer's work has otherwise been mostly overlooked or uncreditedHighlights from Dwight Boyer's Career:
Boyer wrote for the Toledo Blade (1944–1954) and Cleveland Plain Dealer (into the early 1970s)Respected journalist, known for precision... Duration: 00:46:26Inside the Eastland Morgue - Where Death Wasn't Silent
Jul 24, 2025Send us a text
Released on July 24, 2025 – the 110th anniversary of the Eastland Disaster
On this pivotal anniversary, I’m sharing one of the most haunting firsthand accounts ever recorded about July 24, 1915—a story that doesn’t end when the ship rolled, but follows the tragedy all the way to its most chilling conclusion.
TRIGGER WARNING: There are graphic descriptions of death in this episode.
Jack Woodford was a 20-year-old aspiring writer standing on a Chicago River bridge when he witnessed something impossible: a massive steamer slowly rolling over "like a w...
Duration: 00:43:10Late for Death: Stranger Things--Eastland Edition
Jul 17, 2025Send us a text
What if being late saved your life?
In this episode of Flower in the River, we follow the eerie ripple of that question through time.
On the morning of July 24, 1915, Tom Milton and Willard Haynes were in Chicago when the Eastland Disaster unfolded. Milton missed boarding the ship by a single minute. Haynes, a physician, arrived just as chaos overtook the riverfront and assisted at the scene.
Their connection to the disaster surfaced in 1954 when both were living in Texas. That year, the Houston Chronicle...
Duration: 00:25:38Wired for Rescue: The Unsung Telephone Heroes of 1915
Jul 11, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, we revisit the Bell Telephone News from August 1915 and the stories of extraordinary individuals who responded to the Eastland disaster with courage and quick thinking:
Fred J. Lippert - The telephone company engineer who happened to be wearing his bathing suit that morning (planning to swim after work) and dove repeatedly into the Chicago River to rescue victims. But his heroism didn't stop there - his entire life was defined by service and sacrifice.George Spiegelhauer - The methodical rescuer who k... Duration: 00:32:25She Took the Call. He Dove for the Lost. She Wrote Their Story.
Jul 04, 2025Send us a text
In this week’s episode of Flower in the River, we unearth a powerful 1952 article written by author Olive Carruthers—an overlooked piece of Eastland Disaster history that should be widely known but has remained hidden for over 70 years. Through Carruthers’ evocative writing, we meet three remarkable figures:
Catherine O’Reilly, the telephone operator who took the call about the Eastland disaster—and whose own brother, Patrick, was among the victims.Enoch Moberg, a deep-sea diver from Evanston who pulled more than 60 bodies from the wreckage and yet remains mo... Duration: 00:45:21One Saved Lives. One Survived Twice. One Drew the Truth: Recovered Stories of the Eastland
Jun 27, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I’m circling back to three stories I’ve covered before—but they’re too important to leave behind.
First up: Floyd C. Smith, a hardworking Chicago salesman who was near the dock when the Eastland capsized. He assisted and was later recognized by Coroner Peter Hoffman as a citizen hero. I found Floyd through his granddaughter, Ann, who shared his story in The Chicago Genealogist (Vol. 48, No. 3, Spring 2016).
Next: Gertrude Berndt, who survived the Eastland—and twelve years later, survived The Favorite...
Duration: 00:35:29Three Stories. One Disaster. A Century of Silence
Jun 20, 2025Send us a text
In this special retrospective, I’m circling back to some of the most powerful stories I’ve uncovered in my Eastland research—stories that have been entirely absent from the popular historical accounts of the disaster.
Meet James Gardner, a survivor who not only escaped the capsized vessel but went on to rescue nine women and two men from the Chicago River. His vivid first-person account, published just days after the disaster, offers rare and crucial insight—from the moment the Eastland began to list, to the horrifyi...
Duration: 00:39:03BONUS: The Night Nobody Came Knocking – A Father’s Day Story
Jun 14, 2025Send us a text
This is a special bonus episode in honor of Father’s Day 2025.
On an ordinary evening in 1960s Cleveland, an unexpected knock at the door changed the way I saw my father forever.
This short, true story is a tribute to Robert Joseph Zett (aka, Dad), a working-class man who never thought of himself as brave—but showed me what quiet courage really looks like.
Video Link:
The Night Nobody Came Knocking – A Father’s Day Story
Book website: http... Duration: 00:06:37Remember the Eastland… and Sell More Insurance!
Jun 13, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I explore an aspect of the Eastland Disaster that’s rarely investigated: the insurance industry’s response. It’s not as dry as it sounds!
We take a deep look at The Insurance Post, an independent trade journal published out of the Royal Insurance Building in Chicago in 1915. This was likely never meant for public eyes—and it offers a stark, often unsettling glimpse into how the insurance industry processed the Eastland tragedy.
📌 In this episode:
The surprising hub Chicago was for the early 20th-c... Duration: 00:37:04From Gettysburg Grit to Eastland Survival
Jun 06, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I share the compelling story of the Wagaman brothers from Pennsylvania, not far from Gettysburg. In 1915, both were aboard the Eastland when it capsized in the Chicago River—one as the ship’s chief cook, the other as a last-minute passenger who couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong that morning. And he was right.
What followed was a dramatic survival story involving floating wreckage, a heroic rescue, and a loss that still haunts. But their story didn’t end there: Bernard went on to become the very...
Duration: 00:35:15Letters, Ledgers, and Lost Lives
May 31, 2025Send us a text
It’s May 31st—an important date if, like me, you have roots in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On this day in 1889, the South Fork Dam gave way, and a wall of water wiped out most of the city. Over 2,000 lives were lost. It was a manmade disaster—tragic, preventable, and all too familiar.
In this episode, I begin with the story of Maggie Irwin, a chambermaid who died in the Johnstown Flood at age 18. Her mother saved the letters Maggie sent home during her brief time working in a hotel—and because of those...
Duration: 00:37:59A Jeweler, a Woman Diver, a Candy Butcher: Eastland’s Unlikely Trio
May 25, 2025Send us a text
The untold stories of the 1915 Eastland disaster continue to surface over a century later through forgotten newspaper accounts and overlooked connections. These rediscovered narratives reveal how this Chicago tragedy touched lives across America in ways rarely documented.
FEATURED STORIES
H.L. Bening, a West Virginia jeweler who witnessed the disaster while in Chicago on business, providing a powerful emotional account• The "candy butchers" who sold refreshments aboard the Eastland and survived to share their stories of the capsizing and rescue efforts • "Little Elsie," a professional high diver who belie... Duration: 00:34:58A Tsar, A Serial Killer (??), and a Cabinetmaker from Myjava
May 17, 2025Send us a text
In today's episode, I take you on a journey through my unexpected DNA discoveries and how they've connected me to both famous and infamous historical figures. This discovery some new (but very old) Hungarian connections inspired me to research Hungarian immigrant victims of the Eastland Disaster, leading to some remarkable stories of transatlantic families.
My Family Background
All four of my grandparents immigrated to the US from Eastern and Central Europe in the late 1800s/early 1900sUnexpected Royal Connections
DNA testing in 2016 revealed... Duration: 00:43:26Santa Fe Railway's Eastland Victims
May 10, 2025Send us a text
A cemetery caretaker's steady act of tending graves becomes a powerful lesson in historical preservation and honoring forgotten lives. I'll share how this unassuming influence shaped my approach to uncovering and preserving stories of the people of the Eastland Disaster. This episode includes:
The story of Mr. Schmidt, a German immigrant who tended church graves because, "I lost everyone over there."Continuing connections with Eastland disaster descendants seeking stories beyond names and datesUnexpected discovery of two Santa Fe Railway employees who perished on the EastlandDetails about Charles Stehlik, a 24-year-old machinist who... Duration: 00:40:14Good-Bye, Everybody: A City, A Ship, A Song
May 03, 2025Send us a text
🛳️🎶 “Goodbye, Everybody…” That was the jaunty tune Benton Harbor residents remembered the Eastland playing from its calliope — long before the disaster.
🎙️ In Episode 112 of Flower in the River, we travel to Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan — twin port cities on Lake Michigan — to uncover their overlooked connection to the Eastland. A year before the tragedy, the ship raced across the lake in a friendly steamer rivalry, cheered on by local crowds. It was a different time, full of hope and hometown pride.
Then came July 24...
Duration: 00:40:25From Valhalla Halls to River Graves — The Danish Heartbreak of 1915
Apr 26, 2025Send us a text
Grief knows no borders. When Chicago's SS Eastland capsized in 1915, the tragedy didn't just devastate local families—it sent shockwaves all the way to Denmark, where anxious relatives waited for news that would forever change their lives.
This episode unveils the forgotten Danish dimension of the Eastland disaster through contemporary Danish newspaper accounts that captured both the personal heartbreak and systemic failures behind the tragedy. We meet Anna Clausen and her eight-year-old daughter Ella, Danish immigrants who perished when the ship rolled over, leaving behind a husband/father and young son. Th...
The Red Socks Historian: Peter Alter and the Chicago History Museum
Apr 19, 2025Send us a text
Peter Alter—Chief Historian and Director of the Studs Terkel Center for Oral History at the Chicago History Museum—joins me for this episode, and what a conversation it turned out to be.
We nearly had to cancel. A massive Zoom outage hit just before we were set to record. But like all good historians and podcasters, we adapted. Zoom came back to life minutes before our scheduled time, and we hit record.
What followed was a rich, wide-ranging conversation about Chicago’s histor...
Duration: 00:46:35History Doesn’t Speak One Language—Neither Did the Eastland Story
Apr 12, 2025Send us a text
When history speaks, it rarely does so in just one language.
In this episode of Flower in the River, I take you on a journey I never expected—deep into international newspaper archives that covered the 1915 Eastland disaster in Chicago. What started with the discovery of Polish-language coverage has now expanded to include a stunning find: a Norwegian-Danish newspaper called Skandinaven, published right in Chicago for the Scandinavian immigrant community.
Just four days after the disaster, Skandinaven published a nearly 7,000-word article—beating many of the major English-language papers with...
Duration: 00:37:14Blood Across the Ocean: When Chicago's Disaster Shook Poland
Apr 06, 2025Send us a text
A breakthrough discovery reveals how news of the 1915 Eastland disaster reached across the Atlantic to Poland, unearthing voices unheard for over a century. While exploring the Silesian Digital Library—an extraordinary archive of Polish publications spanning from 1892 to 2011—I discovered several newspapers from Silesia that covered Chicago's tragic shipwreck with remarkable detail and emotional connection.
The Gazeta Opolska from September 1915 painted a vivid picture of the disaster, accurately describing how Western Electric pressured workers to attend the company picnic, how safety regulations were ignored, and how the ship capsized "before people real...
The "I Don't Know" Man: From Eastland Disaster to Salvage Czar
Mar 30, 2025Send us a text
The untold stories of Chicago's deadliest disaster continue to emerge from dusty archives and forgotten legal documents. In episode 107, "The 'I Don't Know' Man: From Eastland Disaster to Salvage Czar," we dive deeper into the coroner's inquest that followed the 1915 Eastland tragedy, focusing on the testimony of Daniel W. Gee—a Western Electric employee who helped organize the ill-fated company picnic but whose story has been largely overlooked by historians.
Daniel's testimony reveals the confusion surrounding ticket sales and passenger counts that fateful day. His hesitant responses—filled with "I do...
The Coroner, The Catastrophe, and the Inquest
Mar 22, 2025Send us a text
A long-overlooked document adds a vital missing piece to the Eastland Disaster story.
For over a century, the full account of what happened when the SS Eastland capsized in downtown Chicago has remained incomplete—not because we didn’t know what happened--but because the stories of so many of the people involved were lost, overlooked, or never told.
In this episode, I share how I stumbled on a forgotten 156-page coroner’s inquest from 1915—led by Cook County Coroner Peter Hoffman—that’s bee...
Duration: 00:34:11Eastland 1905: Burning Water, Missed Warnings
Mar 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I explore a seldom documented incident involving the Eastland steamship from August 1905—ten years before the infamous Eastland Disaster of 1915. This forgotten event reveals important patterns in the ship's troubled history and adds crucial context to understanding the later tragedy.
Episode Highlights:
Rosemary Pietrzak's Passing: I begin with a tribute to Rosemary Pietrzyk, who passed away at 94. Rosemary was the first person I met who also lost family in the Eastland Disaster, and her insight that "They didn't die on the Eastland, but th... Duration: 00:33:47Receipts from the River—What the Departed Left Behind
Mar 07, 2025Send us a text
Ever wonder what secrets lie buried in forgotten newspapers and dusty archives? For the victims and survivors of Chicago's deadliest disaster, their stories waited patiently for over a century to be rediscovered.
Genealogy isn't just about filling in branches on a family tree—it's about stories--connective tissue to the past. During this year's RootsTech conference, I've been reflecting on how the marriage of theory and practice has shaped my journey uncovering the forgotten narratives of the 1915 Eastland disaster. As Crista Cowan, the "Barefoot Genealogist," reminds us, meaningful research means going beyond da...
Disaster Dodger – One Woman’s Escape Artistry
Mar 01, 2025Send us a text
Death came knocking three times—but Bertha Behrend Healy wasn't home.
In this episode, I uncover the jaw-dropping story of a woman who narrowly escaped not one, not two, but THREE of America's deadliest disasters:
The Johnstown Flood (1889) - A catastrophic dam collapse that killed 2,200+ people while Bertha's family fled to higher ground just in timeThe Iroquois Theatre Fire (1903) - 602 victims perished when Chicago's "fireproof" theatre became a deathtrap, but 11-year-old Bertha's mother kept her home that frigid nightThe Ea... Duration: 00:32:17Final Claim: Insurance Records Speak from Beyond the Grave
Feb 23, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, we explore newly discovered insurance records of Eastland disaster victims through the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA). These records provide unprecedented insight into the aftermath of the tragedy and its impact on Chicago's Polish community.
Key Discoveries
Previously unsearchable records found through FamilySearch.org's experimental Labs featureApproximately 22 Eastland victims identified who held PRCUA life insurance policiesDocuments include detailed death records, beneficiary certificates, coroner's reports, and correspondenceThe Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA)
Founded in 1873Oldest and largest... Duration: 00:40:50Roll Up Your Sleeves—A Lesson in Preserving History
Feb 16, 2025Send us a text
History isn’t just about what’s remembered—it’s about who makes sure it’s remembered.
In this episode, I take you to Fall Creek, Wisconsin—a small village with a deep familial connection. It’s also where I first saw what real historical preservation looks like. Their approach to honoring the past contrasts what I’ve found in my research on the Eastland Disaster, where some victims remain without grave markers more than a century later.
How did this happen? W...
Duration: 00:41:40Episode 100: A Milestone, A Synchronicity & A Heartfelt Thank You
Feb 09, 2025Send us a text
100 Episodes of Flower in the River! 🎉
Can't believe we made it to 100! Let's look back at how this whole thing started, how Flower in the River has grown, and our mission to keep the stories of all of the people who experienced the Eastland Disaster from fading into history.
The Most Random Thing Just Happened...
So get this - Crista Cowan (you might know her as The Barefoot Genealogist) was asking about family history coincidences late last year. And if you've followed my ancestr...
Duration: 00:28:42The Big Apple Meets Chicago’s Biggest Disaster
Feb 02, 2025Send us a text
Step back to 1915 and witness how the Eastland disaster shook not just Chicago but the entire nation—thanks in part to New York’s relentless reporters.
Meet H. Percye Millar, a Chicago-based New York Times correspondent, who single-handedly transmitted 15,000 words about the catastrophe in a single night. His meticulous reporting, paired with John Fay’s gripping eyewitness accounts for the New York World, offers a fresh perspective on this devastating event.
Through long-preserved newspaper archives, we uncover haunting survivor stories—som...
Duration: 00:41:42The Pulp Scribbler meets the Capsized Ship
Jan 26, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, I open with a poignant story about my mother’s friend Donna—a moment of compassion that left an indelible mark on my life. It’s a small, tender memory, but one that unlocks a much bigger story—one of the most compelling and overlooked accounts I’ve come across in my research on the Eastland disaster.
Now, picture this: Chicago, July 1915. A young writer, already living on the edge of convention, leans against a bridge railing, lost in thought. Suddenly, chaos erupts. The Eastland, a ship loaded with unsus...
Duration: 00:41:39Caverns of Memory: Erin McBrien’s Archival Journey
Jan 18, 2025Send us a text
In today's episode, I speak with Erin McBrien, Interim Curator at the Upper Midwest Literary Archives (University of Minnesota), to explore the fascinating world behind preserving our collective stories.
Highlights:
Step inside a real-life treasure vault: 80 feet underground in limestone caverns(!) where priceless historical materials are preservedFrom famous horror magazines to immigrant stories: Erin shares her path from South Dakota to becoming the guardian of Midwestern literary historyLearn why preserving "ordinary" people's stories matters just as much as famous authorsDiscover how my research for both my family and the other... Duration: 00:47:58Margaret Dreier Robins - Voice of Thunder
Jan 12, 2025Send us a text
It’s time to explore the remarkable life of Margaret Dreier Robins, a powerful yet often overlooked voice in the Eastland disaster narrative. Born into privilege in 1868, Margaret chose to dedicate her life to labor reform and women's rights, becoming a pivotal figure in Chicago's social justice movement.
Key points:
Margaret's early life and her transition from New York socialite to social reformerHer work with the Women's Trade Union League and Hull House alongside Jane AddamsHer crucial but largely forgotten warnings about the Eastland's dangers before the 1915 disasterThe sh... Duration: 00:34:38The Diver and the Janitor: Heroes, Loss, and the Price of Tragedy
Jan 05, 2025Send us a text
*Content warning: This episode contains a brief mention of suicide*
In this episode of Season 3, I explore two powerful stories from the 1915 Eastland disaster in Chicago that showcase both heroism and devastating loss.
Meet Captain Dan Donovan: Chicago's Hero Diver
I take you into the world of early 20th century Chicago with Captain Dan Donovan, the city's chief diver whose extraordinary career spanned decades. From battling ice-choked waters to maintain Chicago's crucial water infrastructure to his heroic work during the Eastland disaster, Donovan's...
Duration: 00:39:21TWICE BURIED & THE MYSTERY OF EASTLAND VICTIM #571
Dec 28, 2024Send us a text
Content Note: This episode deals with themes of death and misidentification. Please listen with care.
In episode 94 of Flower in the River, I’m diving into one of the most puzzling mysteries of the Eastland Disaster: the case of Emma Meyer and the confusion surrounding Victim #571. What started as a chance discovery during an archival search turned into a whirlwind of genealogical digging and conflicting records that left me completely floored.
Here’s what I uncovered:
The tangled story of two women, both named Emma... Duration: 00:40:15Lane Tech: Triumph Through Tragedy
Dec 22, 2024Send us a text
This week, I’m diving into the touching story of Lane Technical High School students who tragically lost their lives in the Eastland disaster of 1915. These weren’t just names on a list—they were vibrant young men with big futures ahead of them. From a baseball captain to a Moody Church Sunday School member, I’ll take you through their personal histories and the incredible ways their school honored them after the tragedy.
Here’s what I’ll cover in this episode:
Lane Tech’s incredible legacy as Chicago’s fi... Duration: 00:32:28From Factory Floor to Fighting Ring: Another Eastland Story
Dec 15, 2024Send us a text
This episode opens with my reflection on our podcast's year-end Buzzsprout statistics, which revealed some surprising reach - listeners in 17 countries, 49 episodes (soon to be 52--I hope!), and 1,910 downloads. I share my special appreciation for our unexpected following in Coloma, Wisconsin (population abt. 460), where an incredible 33% of the village has become loyal listeners.
I discuss how this podcast has evolved from simply telling my family's story into a broader mission of documenting and preserving the many untold stories of the Eastland disaster. As I mention, some of these episodes seem to "w...
Duration: 00:39:53When the River Took Over: Stories Nearly Left Behind
Dec 07, 2024Send us a text
Episode Description:
Welcome to Episode 91 of Flower in the River! This week, we’re diving into two extraordinary stories from the Eastland disaster, showcasing why history is about people—not just numbers.
We’ll explore the firsthand account of E.J. Smith, an engineer who witnessed the Eastland aftermath and painted a vivid picture of the chaos, heartbreak, and heroism. Then, we’ll meet Orvin T. Havey, a young survivor who saved lives in the midst of tragedy and went on to live a remarka...
Duration: 00:41:04The Machinist, the Merchant, and the Sweetheart: Stories from the Chicago River
Nov 28, 2024Send us a text
The 1915 Eastland disaster cast a long shadow over Chicago, and many stories from that day remain hidden—often in plain sight! This week, we’re uncovering more overlooked narratives to ensure they are remembered.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
John A. Rusk’s Quiet Heroism
A produce merchant whose store became a rescue hub during the Eastland disaster. His obituary, hidden in an obscure newspaper, highlights his critical role—a narrative you won’t find in mainstream Eastland histories.
Robert F. Sn...
Duration: 00:30:14The Tomato Smuggler Who Survived a Disaster
Nov 23, 2024Send us a text
In today’s episode, I uncovered an extraordinary tale that intertwines the 1915 Eastland disaster, an heirloom tomato, and a present-day artist in Maine. This story, unearthed in the Franklin Journal and Farmington Chronicle from August 2023, is a beautiful reminder of how the Eastland’s legacy continues to emerge in surprising ways.
Meet Henry (Enrico) Inciardi, a Sicilian immigrant who arrived in America in 1898 with tomato seeds secretly sewn into his clothing. Though Henry survived the Eastland disaster in 1915, his first wife, Antoinette, tragically did not. Yet his smuggled seeds carried forward a le...
Duration: 00:41:33Front Page Gold, Footnote Dilemma: The Eastland’s Mixed Legacy
Nov 17, 2024Send us a text
Hey everyone! I'm excited to share some fascinating discoveries about how Chicago newspapers covered the Eastland disaster in 1915. This episode takes us behind the scenes at the Chicago Evening Post through the eyes of a publication called "The Scoop" - which was essentially a newspaper about newspapers!
First, I want to welcome all my new listeners who mysteriously appeared this week. Not sure where you came from, but I'm grateful you're here!
Key highlights from this episode:
Deep dive into how the Chicago Evening Post handled the breaking... Duration: 00:41:47Bones, History, Heart: Helen Sclair’s Death Quest
Nov 10, 2024Send us a text
Episode Highlights:
Introducing Helen Sclair: In this episode, I explore the life of Helen Sclair, a unique and quirky “cemetery-ologist” who had a deep love for Chicago’s history, especially as it relates to its cemeteries. Helen dedicated her life to preserving the stories of those buried in Chicago’s historic cemeteries, including many of the Eastland disaster victims.
The Bohemian National Cemetery: Helen had a special connection with Bohemian National Cemetery, where around 143 Eastland victims were laid to rest. She also lived there!<... Duration: 00:36:59Bohemian Rhapsody - Forgotten by the River, Remembered at the Cemetery
Nov 02, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, we explore the rich history and legacy of Chicago’s Bohemian National Cemetery—a place that’s so much more than a resting place. We’ll explore what it really means to be “Bohemian” (no, not absinthe-drinking artists) and how this historic cemetery, founded by Czech immigrants, became a site of resilience, community, and remembrance.
Highlights:
Introducing New Listeners: Natalie welcomes listeners from around the world, including folks from the Philippines, Spain, and even her family in Slovakia! Bohemian National Cemetery: Learn why this... Duration: 00:34:06Eastland 101: How NOT to Lose a History in 100 Years
Oct 27, 2024Send us a text
Welcome to Episode 85 of Flower in the River, where we dig deep into the enduring impact of the 1915 Eastland Disaster on Chicago and the families left behind. Inspired by my book of the same name, this episode takes us further into the lost narratives of the Eastland’s victims and heroes.
Episode Highlights:
Honoring the Forgotten: In this episode, I reflect on the countless Eastland Disaster victims and survivors whose stories remain untold. I’ll talk about how much of this history is right there in plain... Duration: 00:39:29From Eastland Witness to Radio Legend: John Griggs’ Journey
Oct 19, 2024Send us a text
In this episode (84), I explore the intriguing life of John Griggs, a talented actor from the Golden Age of Radio and Television—and an important witness to the Eastland disaster. I share his vivid account of that tragic day in 1915, which he wrote for American Heritage Magazine just two years before his death. His story gives us a rare and personal perspective on the catastrophe.
John Griggs wasn’t just a familiar face and voice from radio and TV; he was also a passionate film preservationist. His extensive film...
Duration: 00:39:48Community, Compassion, and Jewish Values: Lessons from the Eastland’s Waters
Oct 12, 2024Send us a text
Welcome back to Flower in the River podcast! In this episode, we dive into the coverage of the 1915 Eastland disaster through The Sentinel, a historic Jewish newspaper in Chicago.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The role The Sentinel played as a bridge between Chicago’s Jewish community and their evolving American identity.The 1997 article from the Chicago Tribune that reflects on The Sentinel’s legacy and closure after 85 years.A reading of The Sentinel’s powerful 1915 article, The Voice from the Eastland, offering a poignant reflection on the d... Duration: 00:37:49Immediate Ink, Enduring Impact - Eastland's Dual Narrative
Oct 05, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, I continue exploring the Eastland disaster coverage, focusing on articles from The Scoop, featuring the Chicago Daily News (1915), and a later piece from the Bradenton Herald (1962). The episode highlights the power of eyewitness accounts and the lasting impact of the tragedy.
Key Points
Discussion of the Chicago Daily News coverage of the Eastland disasterEyewitness accounts from three Bradenton, Florida residents who witnessed the disaster in 1915Details about the rescue efforts and the tragedy's impact on ChicagoComparison of the Eastland disaster to other major Chicago tragedies<... Duration: 00:25:15Tickers Tapping, Phones Ringing: Women Racing to Break the Eastland Tragedy
Sep 28, 2024Send us a text
Eastland Disaster on Chicago Med
The TV show Chicago Med referenced the Eastland disaster in its Season 10 premiere.Jenny Jose’s article in Central Recorder discussed this reference.Genealogy Conference Highlights
Attended a conference by the Association of Professional Genealogists, focusing on new technologies in genealogy.Ticker Tape and Gossip Tickers
Explored Frank Blaha’s mention of gossip tickers and provided historical context on ticker tape technology.Shared insights on ticker use during major events like the Titanic and Lusitania disasters.Ch...
Duration: 00:32:07Alive & Anxious: Frank Escapes, Amelia Waits
Sep 19, 2024Send us a text
Step into a time machine and find yourself on the misty banks of the Chicago River in 1915. The air is thick with anticipation as thousands of Western Electric employees and their families prepare for a day of fun. Little do they know, history is about to be made – not in triumph, but in tragedy.
Fast forward to 1976. One survivor and one daughter of a near-miss survivor-- their memories as clear as the day the Eastland capsized, sit before a microphone. Their voices, now preserved for eternity, paint a vivid picture of th...
Duration: 00:45:32Badge-Worthy Bravery and the Journalist Who Missed the Boat
Sep 15, 2024Send us a text
What if a single event could forever change the fate of countless families and a whole city? Join us this week as we unravel the untold stories of the 1915 Eastland disaster, starting with Ann Smith's riveting family history. Ann shares the valiant efforts of her grandfather, Floyd Cameron Smith, who leaped into action when the ship capsized, saving lives and earning recognition from the Chicago coroner. We also hear about Ann's maternal grandfather, Jay Bates, who narrowly escaped this tragic fate. These personal accounts offer a rare glimpse into the lives forever marked...
Duration: 00:44:55Storytellers of the Eastland: From Tombstones to Trumpets
Sep 07, 2024Send us a text
In episode 78 of Flower in the River podcast, I explore the power of storytelling through two distinct voices connected to the Eastland disaster. First, I introduce you to Jennifer from the Instagram page Posts in the Graveyard, a passionate storyteller who preserves the memory of Eastland victims through photographs and stories. I talk about how Jennifer's work adds depth and complements my own research, creating a fuller picture of the lives affected by the disaster.
Next, I dive into The Jazz Palace...
Duration: 00:31:15Pencils, Presses, and Persistence: The Eastland's News Heroes
Aug 31, 2024Send us a text
Join me on a thrilling journey through time as we uncover the hidden world of early 20th-century journalism during one of Chicago's darkest hours--the Eastland Disaster of 1915.
Highlights:
My personal pilgrimage to a family grave site that started everything.The forgotten technology that powered breaking news in 1915"The Scoop," a trade journal that described the inner workings of Chicago's pressAn adrenaline-fueled race against time as reporters covered the Eastland disasterUnsung heroes who risked it all to bring the truth to lightFascinating Facts:
Origins... Duration: 00:44:36Raw Knuckles, Bare Feet: Eastland's Unlikely Heroes
Aug 23, 2024Send us a text
Welcome back to Flower in the River! In this episode, we explore the untold stories of two extraordinary individuals connected to the tragic Eastland Disaster of 1915. These heroes, whose tales have remained largely hidden from history, finally get the recognition they deserve.
First, meet Amelia Schaefer Schmidt, a 15-year-old girl on what was supposed to be a joyous picnic day. Instead, Amelia found herself in a nightmare, surviving the capsizing of the Eastland with sheer determination and courage. Her story, preserved in interviews and newspaper articles, reveals the harrowing...
Duration: 00:48:34The Chicago Shoemaker and the Jersey Transplants: Eastland's Unexpected Ties
Aug 18, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, the journey into the history of the Eastland Disaster continues, sharing new findings and uncovering untold stories of those affected by the tragedy. A unique two-part approach to research combines rigorous historical investigation with intuitive connections to the past. This episode features the compelling stories of the Remy and Tismer families, who suffered heartbreaking losses in the disaster. Correcting historical inaccuracies is crucial to honoring the memory of those who perished.
Key Points:
From Web to River: Tracing Eastland's Digital Footprints
Aug 10, 2024Send us a text
Welcome back to Flower in the River podcast! In episode 74, we're uncovering more hidden gems from the Eastland disaster, including a deep dive into one of the very first websites dedicated to this tragic event. Get ready for stories you won’t find anywhere else!
Key Points:
Unraveling the Threads: Capone, Cons, and a Child's Survival
Aug 03, 2024Send us a text
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics that may be distressing to some listeners. We cover historical events involving child abuse, exploitation, and trauma related to the aftermath of the Eastland disaster. The second half of the episode includes descriptions of violence against a minor. Listener discretion is advised. If you find these topics particularly difficult, please prioritize your mental health and well-being. Remember, it's okay to pause or stop listening if needed.
Welcome to episode 73 of Flower in the River podcast! This week, I'm diving into...
Duration: 00:38:07From Silence to Testimony: Eastland Survivors Speak Out
Jul 28, 2024Send us a text
Explore the gripping tales of the survivors from the Eastland disaster! Episode 72 peels back the layers of history to reveal the human side of this tragic event.
Journey with me as I retrace my great-aunt Martha’s final steps, experiencing eerie sensations and unexpected emotions along the way. You won’t believe what happened at the disaster site!
Uncover the long-lost voices of survivors through newspaper articles. Hear the harrowing accounts of Marie Benes, Willard Brown, Stella Rytir, Meta Otto, Borghild Carlson, and others who lived to tell the tale...
Duration: 00:49:49Time's Tide: Navigating 109 Years of Eastland Stories
Jul 20, 2024Send us a text
In this special episode commemorating the 109th anniversary of the Eastland disaster, we're taking a moment to reflect on the stories and individuals covered since November 2023. It's been an incredible journey of discovery, preserving and sharing often-forgotten narratives.
Exciting news to share: Tom Milton's letter and related items have found a new home at the Newberry Library. It's heartening to see these pieces of history being preserved for future generations.
There's been a noticeable increase in detailed biographies on Find a Grave for Eastland victims. This collective effort to...
Duration: 00:50:05From Hawthorne Works to Heartbreak: Legacy of Loss
Jul 14, 2024Send us a text
Listener discretion advised: this episode has some graphic descriptions of death.
Welcome to the 70th episode of Flower in the River! Today, we're peeling back the layers of time to explore the chaotic history of early 20th century Cicero, Illinois, focusing on the behemoth known as Western Electric's Hawthorne Works.
My journey begins with a fateful trip to Chicago in 1998, driven by an inexplicable pull to uncover my family's hidden past. Little did I know that this adventure would lead me to the ruins of Western Electric and the d...
Duration: 00:43:53The Actor and the Doctor: Converging Lives Post-Eastland
Jul 05, 2024Send us a text
What would you do if you narrowly missed a disaster that claimed hundreds of lives? In this episode of "Flower in the River Podcast," we uncover the riveting stories of Tom Milton and Dr. Willard Calvin Haynes, two unsung heroes forever linked by the 1915 Eastland disaster. First, we journey with Tom George Milton, a man who narrowly escaped the tragedy but led an adventurous life filled with service across continents and wars. At 70, Tom's zest for life was unquenchable, as highlighted by a Houston Chronicle article that captures his intriguing journey, including his...
Duration: 00:40:12Arthur Loeb: The Fake Hero of Real Tragedies
Jun 29, 2024Send us a text
Trigger warning: there is a brief mention of suicide in this episode.
Introduction
Welcome back, and a special hello to all the new listeners! If you’re just joining us, think of this as jumping into the middle of an intriguing movie—I'll provide some context and encourage you to listen to previous episodes.
Today's Topic: Arthur Loeb - The Audacious Con Artist
In this episode, I introduce you to Arthur Loeb, a man whose life reads like a biza...
Duration: 01:07:18Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster
Jun 22, 2024Send us a text
In today's episode, we explore the unique and tragic case of Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen who survived the Eastland disaster but succumbed to long-term health issues years later. We discuss how her story, and others like hers, have been overlooked in the broader narrative of the disaster. We also talk about the surprising discoveries from DNA testing that reshaped my understanding of my family's history, and the creative projects that have come from these revelations.
**Key Topics Covered:**
**DNA Discoveries**: How a commercial DNA test led to a surprising connection with a G... Duration: 00:31:53From Tragedy to Transformation: The George Haas Story
Jun 16, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, we commemorate the 120th anniversary of the General Slocum tragedy, which took place on June 15, 1904. We examine the profound impact this disaster had on families and communities, specifically focusing on the Haas family. The episode also explores the intriguing connection between historical tragedies and fictional narratives, using Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series as a lens to understand how we process grief and uncover hidden histories.
Key Points:
Introduction: Marking the 120th anniversary of the General Slocum disaster and its historical significance.Comparison with Eastland Disaster: Rec... Duration: 00:41:12Rivers of Grief: Eastland and the General Slocum
Jun 08, 2024Send us a text
This episode dives into the eerie connections between the Eastland Disaster and the General Slocum tragedy, two devastating events with striking historical parallels. Listen in for compelling stories of individuals touched by these disasters, their genealogical backgrounds, and personal narratives. Discover the profound impact on immigrant communities and the importance of keeping their stories alive.
Key Points:
Introduction:
Kicking off with an introduction and a promised update on individuals mentioned in a letter from Eastland survivor Martha Willig.Eastland Disaster Stories:<...
Duration: 00:35:55From Hoboken to Hawthorne: Martha Willig's Untold Story
Jun 01, 2024Send us a text
What if moving away from one disaster only set you on a collision course with another?
In This Episode--
The Chronicler and the Rescuer: Unveiling Overlooked Narratives
May 26, 2024Send us a text
In this episode of "Flower in the River," I dive into the intricate history of the 1915 Eastland disaster, uncovering untold stories of bravery and legacy. Join me as I share new discoveries, reflect on historical research, and pay heartfelt tributes to the forgotten heroes of the tragedy.
Highlights:
New Listener Inquiries:
Address common questions from new listeners, clarifying my independent approach to the podcast and sharing how it evolved from my audiobook project.Personal Reflections:
Reflect on the significance of fulf... Duration: 00:40:02Selfless Saviors: Two Extraordinary Rescuers in the Eastland Disaster
May 17, 2024Send us a text
Welcome to Episode 62 of Flower in the River Podcast.
A gripping tale from the Bell Telephone News (August 1915)
The extraordinary heroism of Fred J. Lippert and George Spiegelhauer during the Eastland Disaster. A heart-pounding account of their daring rescues and the obstacles they overcameThe fascinating history of pulmotors: the cutting-edge resuscitation devices of the timeChicago: The beating heart of the telephone industry
Discover the city's pivotal role in telephone equipment manufacturing Unraveling the intriguing connection between the Chicago Telephone Company and Wester... Duration: 00:38:31Undertaking Courage: Catherine Wyand's Eastland Story
May 11, 2024Send us a text
This episode discusses the contributions of women morticians by first focusing on one woman mortician's involvement in the Eastland Disaster.
Highlights.
Threads of Tragedy: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Eastland Disaster
May 04, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, I explore pivotal events in American labor history, focusing on the personal stories of three women who tragically lost their lives in the Eastland disaster, and how their stories intertwine with broader labor rights movements. Starting with the harrowing Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, we explore the conditions that led to significant labor reforms and the push for safer workplaces.
In This Episode:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: I explore this catastrophic event where poor working conditions led to over a... Duration: 00:32:53Crowdsourcing the Past: The Eastland Tragedy and Collaborative Genealogy
Apr 27, 2024Send us a text
Introduction:
Exploring the democratization of historical documentation through platforms like Reclaim the Records, WikiTree, GEDmatch, and Find a Grave.Reclaim the Records:
Non-profit organization advocating for public access to historical documents. Using legal means to unlock previously hidden archival records.Over 60 million records reclaimed so far.WikiTree:
Collaborative genealogy platform where users contribute to a unified family tree.Showcases the power of shared knowledge over traditional gatekeeping in family history.GEDmatch:
Originally a hobbyist tool for genealogists to s... Duration: 00:29:50Irish Roots and Greek Tides: More Eastland Stories
Apr 21, 2024Send us a text
In Episode 58 of Flower in the River Podcast, we explore more untold stories of the Eastland Disaster through the lives of two victims, Mary Helen Egan and Theodore Hallas, whose stories bring to life the diverse richness of early 20th-century Chicago. We'll explore their family backgrounds, their communities, and the historical context that shaped their short but impactful lives.
Mary Helen Egan's Story
Introduction to Mary, her family background in Chicago's Irish Catholic community Discussion on her family’s life in Chicago, their struggles, and societal contributionsCal...
Duration: 00:40:53Bloodlines and Bylines: The Power of Genetic Genealogy
Apr 13, 2024Send us a text
Today’s episode is a special one, dedicated in memory of my cousin "George," (not his real name) and intertwined with an exploration of genetic genealogy.
Episode Highlights
A Tribute to "George" Sharing the story of my cousin George, set against the backdrop of the 1930s in a coal mining town in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His life story reflects the resilience and challenges of our family during those tough times.Genetic Genealogy Deep Dive: Recounting my journey into the world of genetic genealogy, beginning with my f... Duration: 00:31:24Bonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland Disaster
Apr 06, 2024Send us a text
Welcome to Episode 56 of Flower in the River Podcast, where we will explore the role of Fraternal Organizations in the wake of the Eastland Disaster.
Many victims of the Eastland disaster were members of various fraternal organizationsExploring the role these organizations played in the lives of working-class communities in early 20th century ChicagoWhat are Fraternal Organizations?
Groups of individuals who come together based on shared interests, beliefs, or backgroundsAim to provide mutual support, engage in charitable activities, and foster a sense of communityExamples: Freemasons, Independent O... Duration: 00:44:09Archives Unveiled: The Eastland Disaster's Hidden Stories
Mar 30, 2024Send us a text
In Episode 55 of Flower in the River Podcast, I share the remarkable discovery of a story about the Eastland Disaster found in an old periodical.
Today's Tale: The Power of PERSI reveals how attended a webinar led me to discover an eyewitness account of the Eastland Disaster. It was waiting inside the Periodical Source Index (PERSI)! This journey underscores the value of continuous learning and the rich resources available for genealogical research, such as the Allen County Public Library.
Highlight from the Archives: T...
Duration: 00:34:12Sassiness Saved Her: A Jewish Girl's Narrow Escape from the Eastland
Mar 23, 2024Send us a text
In this episode, I continue exploring the Jewish legacy of the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago.
Insights from Jewish genealogy experts, Ellen Kowitt and Rhonda R. McClure, on the unique challenges and strategies for tracing Jewish ancestry, including navigating name variations, language barriers, and historical events like pogroms and the Holocaust. The story of Eastland victim Sam Widran , a 29-year-old Western Electric auditor, and the tragic losses endured by his Jewish immigrant family from Hungary. Details about 24-year-old Celia Brooks (aka Rooks/Rook/Borak) Colombik, who died in the disaster, leaving behind her hus... Duration: 00:31:40Unearthing the Untold: Jewish Lives and the Eastland Tragedy
Mar 16, 2024Send us a text
In Episode 53 of "Flower in the River Podcast," I explore:
The impact of the 1915 Eastland disaster on Chicago's Jewish community Theories on why relatively few Jewish passengers died in the disaster (due to it occurring on the Sabbath) The miraculous survival story of 14-year-old Jacob Aaron Elin (later Jack Elin), who went on to co-found Topps Manufacturing Company, Rochester, Indiana.Jack Elin’s family background, immigrating from the Russian Empire's Pale of Settlement in the late 1800s.The life and death of 24-year-old Eastland victim Carl Friedman, an electrician at Western Electric.Deta... Duration: 00:37:31Sons of Norway, Daughters of Tragedy: The Iverson Family's Eastland Story
Mar 09, 2024Send us a text
Episode 52 Highlights:
Introduction and one-year anniversary of the Flower in the River podcast (52 episodes!).Jacqueline Winspear quote and discussion of the Maisie Dobbs series, highlighting themes of personal growth, historical context, resilience, and the complexity of human character.Setting the stage: the role of religious identity in early 20th century Chicago. Introducing the Norwegian Lutheran communities in Chicago.Meet the Iverson family and the stories of two sisters who died in the Eastland Disaster: Mabel Iverson Gibson and Louise Iverson Theil.I also share my own connections with the Norwegian co... Duration: 00:35:46Frieda Kannberg's Story and the Legacy of the Eastland
Mar 02, 2024Send us a text
Please join me on a profound journey as we continue to honor those who were forever changed by the Eastland Disaster of 1915.
Touching on the unexpected emotional bonds which the last episode ignited (The Lutheran Legacy of the Eastland Disaster), I share the personal significance of my own diverse heritage, which fuels my passion for going deeper into the histories that connect us all.
Frieda Kannberg died at age 39 while aboard the Eastland. Yet, her life becomes a beacon--guiding us through the social fabric of her time. Crucial to o...
The Lutheran Legacy of the Eastland Disaster
Feb 25, 2024Send us a text
Introduction: In episode 50, I uncover the stories and lasting legacy of the German Lutheran communities in Chicago, profoundly affected by the Eastland Disaster of 1915, exploring their resilience and the event's historical significance.
Key Points:
Lutheran Community’s Role: Highlighting how Lutheran churches served as pivotal social and spiritual support systems for immigrant communities in Chicago.Understanding Ancestors: Discussing the importance of the “FAN club principle” in comprehending the complex lives of our ancestors.Personal Connection: Sharing bits and pieces from my Lut... Duration: 00:42:39