On Genesee Hill, QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

[dgriffin]

OK, here she is, Mary B (the character). By the way, my mother was Mary G (for Mary Grace, b. 1913. Her mother, who probably would have been a contemporary of Mary B, but probably not from the same neighborhood, was Mary Gaffney Stephenson.)





Image updated 10/17/09.

[dgriffin]

From the April 22, 1896 edition of the San Francisco Call, here are train schedules. I circled the train east to Chicago. Depending on your browser, double click to enlarge fully. Not the only trains, probably, but this was all there was on the page I was able to download from the Lib of Congress.

[dgriffin]

Routes of "The Santa Fe" (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe), 1891.

[dgriffin]

[fiona]

Dave: fantastic work! I had a freind in last nite who is a writer and she said our idea is one of the best she's ever seen! She loved the fact that we are using web visuals to go deeper into the story, said it gives the story unlimited depth and scope. Mary B. is beautiful and looks across time at us with infinate patience, asking only that our history be kind to her. I have been in touch with the Rector and the historian from Grace Church and I hope to speak with them again in the upcoming week. I want to propose that when the time comes in the story, we can do some postings about the church in the 1890's, and also, I have asked their historian to assist me in finding any info they may have archived about the family. I already told you I actually saw and touched and photographed the plaque and hope to develop those photos this week. The story of the plaque really moved me to tears and I am hoping we can use it in the preface.

[dgriffin]

Sept 30, 2009 0:10:13 GMT -5 fiona said:

... Now, remember, Annie is Roman Catholic and Mary B. is an Episcopalian. The Wood's belonged to Grace Church.
Shall I put Annie at St. Francis DeSales? It would be within walking distance of the Flats ...

I somehow missed this. I just tried doing a little research on St. Francis de Sales Church, but Google keeps pointing me to St. John's, with which St. Francis recently "merged," I think. So much for preserving the heritage!

My mother grew up in St. Francis Church and married my father there.
I sorta thought Annie might be a member of St. John's and live in east Utica. Or St. Patricks, and live down toward Whitesboro St. But anywhere is fine.

[dgriffin]

By the way, you can read up on the duties of a Lady's Maid
here:


www.marshallharber.com/ladysmaid.asp


"Most ladies maids will travel with their employers and will have unpacked the clothing and have everything ready for use shortly after arriving at your destination.There has always been a tradition with this role for the ladies maid to be mindful and informed about etiquette, local cultures and formalities to ensure that you can relax in the knowledge that you are always appropriately turned out."

[dgriffin]

Note below, Mary B was named after her paternal grandmother. Also note John is living back in California almost six years after the fire.

[dgriffin]

www.windsweptpress.com/images/grace tablet.jpg[/img]

[dgriffin]

Only a few times in her young life has Mary B. left the peaceful surroundings of her home to travel by train. The contrast between the somnolence of an upper class neighborhood and the cacaphony of a rail yard and station was frightening. As she considers her upcoming trip to California, she also bears in mind the terrible accidents that seem to befall rail travelers in the 1890's. (And it's true; speed and congestion have outpaced technology and traffic control as the new century begins to dawn.)

Mary B's mother is too busy to listen, worrying as she does daily about the health of the man of the family. Her aunt Blandina is of no help. The spinster ... who herself seems often not of this world ... regards Mary B as the silliest of girls. So the young woman writes her grandmother and namesake, the only woman in her life to whom she can speak of her fears.

[dgriffin]

[dgriffin]

For those of you thinking of contributing to the story of Mary Wood and Annie Sullivan, here is what I have gleaned on the Wood family from the large list of newspaper articles which have appeared in The Genesee Flats Fire threads.

So far we've decided to remain as historically accurate as the story will allow. Mostly everything about Annie will be fictional, of course.

I will in the future, but have not yet annotated each of the sentences or paragraphs below with a reference to which newspaper it came from, nor the date. Our purpose at this point is simply to nail down the facts. And you'll see that even these are not all in agreement with each other, below.

(For those of you joining us late, we are constructing an interactive story. (Short story? play? novel? We don't know yet.) It will be the product of anyone who wants to join in, suggesting scenes, action, dialog, overall thoughts, whatever. As ideas and characters and parts of the story begin to settle, we'll post what we think is the current version of "the product" on the following web page:

www.windsweptpress.com/ogh1.htm

Fee free to join in!




Mention of the Wood family in news accounts of the fire.

Mrs. John B. Wood and daughter could not be found by the Union reporter

. More may have perished, but the list of dead so far as known is Mrs. Hugh Hughes, Noble F. Hopkins, Mrs. Sarah Miller Wood and Miss Mary Wood. Of these the last three named perished in the fire and Mrs. Hughes lost her life by sliding off a rope.

MRS. SARAH MILLER WOOD AND MISS WOOD

Like that of Mr. Hopkins the manner of death of Mrs. Sarah Miller Wood and her daughter, Mary Brandegee Wood, must forever remain a mystery. Her husband, John B. Wood, thus explains their movements prior to his escape from the building which accounts for their separation: After notifying some of our neighbors, we dressed. We were perfectly cool and collected and I put on my overcoat and rubbers. As we were about to leave the apartments Mrs. Wood told me to bring a box that was in the front room. I went back to do so and while in the room saw somebody on the balcony. I opened the door leading to the balcony, spoke to Mrs. Thomas and Miss Bayley, and left the door open for them. Then I returned to my flat, and not seeing them, called, 'Are you all ready? Are you all out? I received no response and putting a light overcoat over my head, to protect me from the smoke, started to leave. Not seeing my wife and daughter in the hall I recharged twice to the flat and called their names but received no response. I also looked for them in the hall, but did not see them. I then went to the first fire escape, but could not open it, and a man asked me why I did not descend by way of the elevator. I started for the elevator but found it was not working and returned to the fire escape, by which I reached the ground, and went to the home of Mr. Talcott across the road, where I expected to find my wife and daughter. I supposed they had left the burning building before me or I would made a more careful search for them. When I left the building I could see no flames and the smoke was not too dense but what I could readily could find my way about."

It is thought that when Mrs. Wood and her daughter left their apartments they went towards the fire in an endeavor to get down the stairway which ended at Miss Bayley's apartments, and that they were suffocated by the smoke which was very dense there.

Sarah Miller Wood was a daughter of Mrs. Rutgar B. Miller, of Whitestown, and a niece of Gov. Seymour and Mrs. Roscoe Conkling. She was 45 years of age. for dome years she, with her husband and daughter, had lived at Riverside Cal., but they came to Utica last summer educate Mary Brandegee Wood, a lovable miss of 15 years, who was a student st Miss Piatt's Seminary. Mrs Wood is survived by her husband, her mother, a brother, Henry S. Miller, and four sisters, Miss Blandina Dudley Miller, Miss Helen I. Miller, of Whitestown, Mrs. Andrew H. Green, of Syracuse, and Mrs. Jewett, wife of Rev. Mr. Jewett, of New York.

. Friends and relatives of Mrs. Wood and her daughter and Noble Hopkins have given up all hope and the work of searching for their bodies will be pushed as rapidly as possible.

John Wood, his wlle.Sarab Miller Wood,
and his 16-year-old daughter, Mary Brandage
Wood, lived on tba seventh floor, of
the fourth apartment from tbe north. Mr.
Wood ia safe, bat a sea re b by numerous
frienda in every conceivable place about
the ruins and in the city enow no trace of
Mr*. Wood and ber daughter. It is feared
that they here perished.
Mrs. John Wood waa a daughter of Mrs.
Rutger B. Miller, of Whitestown. and a
niece of tbe late Gov. Horatio Seymour.
She was about 46 years of age.

Mrs. John B. Wood and Her Fifteen-Year-Old Daughter Mary Blandina Wood

Mrs. John B. Wood and her 15-year-old daughter, Mary B. Wood

Mrs. Wood and Daughter (from Four Lives Lost)

John B. Wood, his wife, and daughter Miss Brandagee Wood lived on the seventh floor the fourth apartment from the north. Mr. Wood was awakened to the smell of smoke, go on XXX during the condagration. He woke his wife and daughter and they arose and began to dress. While they were dressing Mrs Wood said she would go and notify Mrs. Thomas and Miss Bagley, who lived next door. This she did and Mrs Thomas rose and before she was dressed ran to the next apartment and woke Mr. Cushman Mrs. Wood returned and she and her husband and daughter dressed themselves completely, Mr. Wood putting on his rubbers and overcoat. As they were about leaving the apartment Mrs. Wood told her husband to bring a box, which was in the front room, he went to do so and saw some one on the balcony. He opened the balcony door and spoke to Mrs. Thomas and Miss Bailey and left the door open for them. Then he went to the back part of the flat and not seeing his wife and daughter shouted are you all ready? Are you out? He received no response, and putting a light overcoat on his head started to leave. Not seeing his wife or daughter, he went twice more into the flat and called, but got no answer. He looked for them in the hall, but did not see them. He went to the first fire escape, but could not open it. Then he went to the other, where a man asked him why he did not take the elevator. He ran to the elevator and found it was not working. Then he returned to the fire escape and came down on it. He went at once to the house of Mr. Talcott opposite and was shocked to find his wife and daughter were not there. He believed they had gone down ahead of him, or he would have made a more thorough search. Mrs. Wood and daughter were not seen again.
At the time Mr. Wood left his apartment there was no flames and the smoke was not so dense but that he could see his way clearly. This was quite early and before the whistle sounded The three were entirely cool and collected and had no fear. The theory is that Mrs. Wood and daughter instead of going away from the fire, went toward it and tried to go down the stairway which ended at Miss Bayley's apartment and became over powered with the smoke and suffocated.

Mrs Sarah Miller Wood was a daughter of Rutger Bleecker Miller and a niece of the late Gov. Horatio Seymour. She was 45 years old and married Mr. Wood about 20 years ago. Mr. Wood was then a resident of Morristown, N. J. and practiced law in New York. A number of years ago Mr. Wood's health failed and he went to Riverside California, where he conducted an orange grove. Last winter the family were with Mrs. Miller at Whitesboro, and this winter engaged rooms at the Genesee.

Miss Mary Brandegee Wood was 15 years old and a pupil of Mrs. Platt's School. Besides her mother. Mrs. Rutger B. Miller of Whitesboro, and her husband, Mrs. Wood leaves a brother, Henry S. Miller, and four sisters, Miss Blandina Dudley Miller of Whitesboro, Mrs. Andrew H. Green of Syracuse, and Mrs. Jewett, wife of Rev. Mr. J. W. who is professor in an Episcopal seminary in New York. Mr. Wood is at Mrs. Brandegee's on Kent street.



J. R. Cushman saved only what clothing he had on. His loss is about $3,000, including many valuable keepsakes, which were the saving of sixty years. He had no insurance. He believed he heard Mrs. Wood and daughter in the apartments of Mrs. Thomas.


Another Wood in the Fire
F. T. Wood occupied the ground floor flat at the north end. He lost a tall clock, which had been in the family 1 century, and some valuable portraits. His loss is $250.000, insurance, $1,100. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are at Mrs. Wrattens, 189 Park avenue.

F. T. Wood - Williamsburg City - $500
F. T. Wood. Franklin $500



The Flat Occupants.
John B. Wood and wife and daughter;
Lieut. Frank T. Wood, wife, two children and servant;




A Cuff Button Belonging to Him Found Near the Spot Where the Body Was Discovered - Mrs. Wood's Wedding Ring Found In A Pile Of Debris - Other Articles Unearthed Yesterday


The search of the ruins was continued all day yesterday. A laborer inspecting the refuse to the dump on the south side toward Clinton place picked up ring. A small plain gold band ring, which he turned over to Officer Berg. and it was subsequently taken to the police station by Sergeant Landers. The ring was identified as the wedding ring of Mrs. Wood, one of the victims' and was well preserved. It was probably removed from the debris in the south section of the building, which has been pretty well excavated. The ring bore the inscription: "J. B. W. to S. M." and the date is 1874.





Died within an hour.
Mrs. Sarah Miller Wood, 45 years old.
Miss Mary Brandegee Wood, 16 years
old.


(from A Holocaust)

Mr. and Mrs. Wood and their daughter.
aged 15. lived on the upper floor in
the center of the building. They were
awakened by the blowing of the whistle,
and after putting on what clothes they
could, the trio left their rooms to effect
an escape. Following Mr. Wood, the
mother and daughter passed out into the
corridor. Mr. Wood, it is said, left them
standing in the hall while he went back
to the rooms for some valuables, and
when he returned the mother and
daughter were gone. Mr. Wood thought
they had passed down the stairs with
some of the fleeing tenants, and he then
set about getting to the ground. When
he reached the ground no traces of his
family could be found, and it is highly
probable that after wandering about the
smoke-filled passages the mother and
daughter became overcome with smoke
and fell to t h e floor in a stupefied condition.
During the fire several spectators
saw the figure of a woman at a window
on this story for a few minutes, and then
she sank out of sight. This was probably
Mrs. Wood or her daughter.

Mrs. Wood was a daughter of Mr.
Rutger B. Miller of Whitestown. and a
niece of the late Governor H«ratio Seymour.
She was about 45 years of age
and married Mr. Wood about 20 veers
ago. At that time Mr. Wood was a resident
of Morristown, N. J., and a practicing attorney
in New York city. They resided in Morristown
until Mr. Wood's
health failed a number of years ago. and
then went to Riverside. Cal.. where Mr.
Wood conducted an orange ranch. Last
summer they were with Mrs. Miller at
Whitesboro, and this winter engaged
apartments in the Genesee. Besides her
mother, she leaves a brother. Henry S.
Miller of Whitesboro: four sisters. Miss
Blandina Dudley Miller. Miss Helen L.
Miller of Whitestown, Mrs. Andrew H.
Green of Syracuse and Mrs. Jewett, wife
of Rev. Mr. Jewett of New York. Miss
Wood was in her 15th year, and was an
attendant at Mrs. Piatt's school.

(Mrs. Wood was a sister
to Blandina Dudley Miller!)
tinyurl.com/cw6lbk


(from A Holocaust)

No. 1—Franklin T. Wood, wife and
two children. *

No. 56—J. B. Wood and wife and
daughter. Mary B. Wood, /



?

Jason S. Crandall. with his wife, who
has been an invalid for several years,
lived over Mr. Potter. Mr. Crandall’s
daughter. Mrs, Darling, was in New
York. Mr Crandall carried his wife in
her night clothes thro the halls, groping
his way io the main stairway and out
thro a rear entrance in safety. Mrs.
Crandall was taken in a fainting condition
to Mr. Wood's residence, No. Clinton place,
where she was kindly cared for and attended
by Dr. Booth.



Dr. Ulrey and his wife were among
the last to leave the building. Their
apartment was on the seventh floor, and
the corridors were filled with smoke
when they commenced to descend. The
party, numbering seven, finally reached
the ground by the north entrance, several
women in tbe party being almost
in a faint. Dr. Ulrey's hands were covered
with blood. In the party were
George Fowler. Mrs. Eva Fowler and
their guest. Miss Kate Denin of Saratoga,
and Dr. Thomas. They first tried
to get help _from the firemen
from the balconies, ,but
they failed to attract attention. They
finally put damp clothes over their heads
and bodies and commenced to descend
in safety. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Wood were
aroused by Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Wood
and her daughter started to leave with
Dr. Ulrey's party. Mrs. Wood went a
short distance with the party and then
left them and that was the last time she
was seen alive.
Mrs. Susanah Clarke and her daughter
escaped from the building before the
alarm was sent in. They secured nothing.


Mrs. David Hughes, an aged woman, lost her hold on a rope at the fifth floor and was dashed to death. Mrs. John Wood and her daughter and Noble F. Hopkins, occupying rooms on the seventh floor, are missing, and it is feared that they were burned to death. Jaqmes Potter jumped from the second floor and broke his leg.

[fiona]

Dave: The ogh book in progress is getting harder to find as the info drops down to the bottom. Anything we can do about this?

[dgriffin]

Say again? I don't understand.

[dgriffin]

www.windsweptpress.com/images/sarah dar.jpg[/img]



www.windsweptpress.com/images/sarah watch.jpg[/img]




Utica Daily Press
March 14, 1896

In the Fire Ruins

Articles Belonging to Miss Wood Found
but no Trace of the Bodies.[/size]

The adjusters of the Insurance companies having policies on the Genesee Flats property, met yesterday a the offices of W.D. Jones. Inasmuch as the safe of Northrup and Latcher had not been found, and the owners were therefore unable to show their building account, the matter was referred to a committee of three to notify all the adjusters when the papers are ready. This action was taken yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon the safe of Northup and Latcher was found and opened. The money it contained was intact and the papers and accounts, though water soaked, were substantially all right.



In the cellar of the apartment occupied by the family of John B. Wood there was found yesterday a silver watch which had belonged to Miss Wood and was inscribed with her initials, and a silver pin consisting of two pearls which had also belonged to her. The search here was carefully conducted, but no trace of the remains of Mrs. Wood or her daughter was found. There was found in this cellar a cut glass smelling bottle, bunch of keys and a handsomely engraved sword. In the first flat yesterday morning, there was found a lock of blown hair, but no body was discovered. Earrings and finger rings were found yesterday, in which the stones were missing, indicating that the settings had spread enough to allow the stones to drop out.

In the burning of the building, it is pretty evident that the floors first fell and went into the cellar, and the side walls fell afterward, covering the mass. The city has about twenty-five men at work, and the first thing they do is to remove the covering of brick and mortar. This can just as well be done at night, for it requires no further inspection than workmen would naturally give it in shoveling it over, for there is little probability of finding anything in it. It is near the cellar bottom, however, that most of the articles of value were found and where the bodies are expected to be. This work ust be done very carefully, as even a fragment of a human body might be overlooked. City Surveyor Johnson had no men at work last night, for the reason that the work of searching the cellars of the first three sections will be completed to-day, and it is desired to make the search by daylight as complete as possible. If no trace of the remains is found in these sections, Surveyor Johnson will put a force of men at work in the fourth and fifth sections to-night and work will be prosecuted night and day until the lower part of the cellar is reached.

At the police station there is a short blue overcoat, handsomely lined, awaiting an owner. It was left at the residence of Mr. Albright the morning of the fire and probably the owner has forgotten that he saved it. ###