Orphan Train Tragedy

by Rachel Wesson

  “You must forget what you saw. It’s over now. You don’t have to be scared now. You will be fine. It is okay.” Over and over the girl mumbled words of comfort to Teddy until his sobs subsided. Then she wiped the tears from her own face.

  “I had a little brother just your age.”

  Charlie coughed as Lily and Kathleen blew their noses.

  “Miss, we owe you a huge debt,” Charlie said putting his arm around Lily. “Without your bravery, we could have lost our son. I don’t know how to repay you.”

  “I don’t want money.” Frieda stood up.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you.” Charlie turned red and looked to Kathleen.

  “Frieda, Charlie was just trying to say thank you. He is the man I wanted you to speak to.” Kathleen turned to Charlie. “Frieda’s brother was one of the first to spot the fire. He told his father about it. Frieda says her father said the crew did the wrong thing. I thought you would know who should hear her story.”

  Charlie turned his attention to Frieda. “There will be an investigation and they will need to hear your testimony, but for now, keep this to yourself. I wouldn’t want the wrong people to hear.”

  Kathleen saw the terror in the girl’s eyes. She could have slapped Charlie, but he was too caught up in everything that was happening to think clearly. Lily obviously thought the same as she hissed, “Charlie!”

  Then Lily turned to Frieda, “For now, Frieda, please come and stay with my husband and myself. I won’t take no for an answer. Kathleen told us about your father and brother. I am so sorry. For the next few days, it will be very busy at the sanctuary and around Little Germany. People are going to be asking a lot of questions. You won't have time to rest. Please stay in our home as our guest.”

  Frieda shook her head, but Teddy spoke up, grabbing her by the hand despite the pain it caused him.

  “Please say yes. I would like someone there who knows how horrible it was. I can’t talk to my twin or my younger sisters. Please.”

  It was obvious Frieda couldn’t bear to say no to Teddy.

  “Okay, I will come and stay with you for a few nights. But then I must help my community. They need help. So many didn’t come home.”

  “We will all help,” Kathleen insisted. “Lily, I spoke with one of Frieda’s neighbors. She will put a list together of what the families need. Also, I have told her about the sanctuary. We will have to be prepared for several children to come and stay for a while. Their parents may have to stay in hospital, those who still have a family. The rest will have to be adopted.”

  Lily nodded.

  “Frieda, would you like to come and see Elsa?” Kathleen asked before explaining to the others. “Frieda’s brother Hans died saving a baby. Her name is Elsa. Her parents didn’t survive. She is on a ward upstairs.”

  “Oh, the poor baby. Frieda, go with Kathleen if you would like to. We will be here until the nurse tells us to leave. Then I will introduce you to Teddy’s family. They are dying to meet his hero.”

  Frieda’s cheeks turned red before she walked away. Kathleen gave Teddy one last smile before following Frieda up to see baby Elsa. She kept her fingers crossed that Charlie and Lily could help Frieda through the rough days ahead.

  Chapter 80

  Two weeks had passed since the day Lily had almost lost her son. She was still really angry and the newspapers weren’t helping.

  “I still can’t believe anyone could be so negligent. The fire hoses fell apart, the lifeboats were wired to the davits. It’s a wonder more weren’t killed.”

  Lily glanced at her husband, her heart beating faster. They’d come so close to losing their son. How lucky they were compared to so many other families.

  “What do you think will happen, Charlie?”

  “The captain will go to jail, but the real villains will get away with it. Same as always. The inspection certificates were signed on behalf of the two inspectors not by them. Whoever signed won’t be held accountable. Nor will the steamboat owners, although they should have replaced all the life vests and other safety features.”

  Lily wanted to scream over the unfairness of it all. “I can’t believe the life jackets didn’t work.”

  “Lily, not only did they not work, but they lead to the death of many of the victims. When cork is wet, it floats. But when cork turns to dust, like it was in those life jackets, when it gets wet it acts just like dirt. It gets heavier. Putting on the life jackets only hastened their deaths.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe anyone would let people onto a boat that wasn’t safe.”

  “Believe it. It happens all the time, but until rich or famous people are killed, nothing will change. Anyway, let’s not talk about it anymore. How was your day at the sanctuary?”

  “Sad. There are quite a few German children joining the next orphan train. Some of those who survived the disaster were left alone. No parents or grandparents to take them in. They have nowhere else to go. Father Nelson was in contact with some people in Yorkville and other German communities and is placing as many of the children as he can in those areas. At least they will grow up with their language and culture, but some will have to go on the train.”

  “It is just horrible to lose your family and then your home. Those poor kids. I wish we could take some of them into our home.”

  Lily rose to kiss her husband on the head, “I know you do. I feel the same, but we have enough with the twins and the girls. I wonder how Kathleen and Richard are faring?”

  Charlie pulled her down onto his lap. “Stop fretting, Lily. What is meant to be, will be.”

  Chapter 81

  Kathleen couldn’t believe her ears as she sat in front of the Judge. He’d said yes.

  “Richard, is it true? Elsa is ours?” she whispered to her husband.

  “Yes, darling. We can bring her home tomorrow. Are you happy?”

  Happy? That was an understatement. She couldn’t believe they were going to let her keep her baby. Elsa was hers from the minute she had held her hand the day after the tragedy.

  Richard took her hand and led her from the Judges chambers.

  “You’re shivering. Are you coming down with a fever?” he asked.

  “No, just excited. And feeling a little guilty. I can’t help thinking I played a part in the General Slocum tragedy.”

  Richard spun her around to face him. “Kathleen Green, never say that again. You are not to blame for what happened. Those that failed to inspect the boat, or make sure the life preservers were up to date, they are to blame. You are as innocent as Elsa.”

  “But Granny Belbin…”

  “Is an eccentric old lady. Put it out of your mind and let’s celebrate our good fortune. Shall we go out to dinner or would you like to pick up Patrick and go and see Lily?”

  Kathleen hugged her husband. He knew her so well. She had to share the news with her best friend. Patrick was at the hospital. There were still many patients fighting for their lives after the disaster and the nursing staff needed all the help they could get. Patrick said Frieda was a huge asset as she was able to act as translator. The two of them often worked together and had developed a good friendship.

  Soon they were standing outside Lily’s house. Patrick knocked at the door.

  As soon as Lily opened the door, Kathleen apologized for turning up. “Sorry it’s so late but we had to share our news.”

  Lily opened the door wider to let them all file into the sitting room. Charlie rose to greet them.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, Charlie, more than all right. Oh, Lily you will never guess. They said yes. We can adopt baby Elsa. She can come home with us.”

  Lily gathered Kathleen in her arms, hugging her as the tears streamed down both their faces.

  “All her family died on the boat. Reverend Haas could confirm she lost her parents, her aunt and uncle and even her grandmother. It is so tragic.”

  “It is Kathleen, but she couldn’t have found a better moth
er. Or father.” Lily glanced at Richard. “But where is she?”

  “Still in the hospital. Just a precaution as we don’t know how her little lungs were affected. She seems fine, but they want to be sure and then the paperwork has to be completed. We can bring her home with us tomorrow. I can’t wait. At last we will have our baby.” Kathleen put her arm around Patrick. “Our son will have a new sister.”

  “He might even help change her diapers,” Lily teased as Patrick’s face turned bright red.

  “No, thanks Mrs. Doherty. I will leave that to Mom. Are the twins still up?”

  “Yes, they are. Teddy was feeling rather sore today.”

  Richard glanced at her, concern written all over his face. Kathleen squeezed his hand.

  “He will be fine, Richard, thanks to you and your team.” Lily hugged Richard. “The blisters are healing. I think he will have scars but compared to what could have happened he was lucky.”

  “Frieda said she came around to visit with him a few times. Her and Patrick have become quite friendly. She helps at the hospital.” Kathleen spoke as she sat down.

  “Frieda is wonderful. She has accepted Charlie’s donation toward her school fees and will train as a doctor when she is a little older. We asked her to come and live with us, but she declined. She accepted a room in the sanctuary.”

  “That’s wonderful, Lily.” Kathleen glanced at Richard, “Patrick didn’t tell us that.”

  “I think she wants to keep it quiet for now. There are still so many funerals going on. When she is finished at the hospital, she will work at the sanctuary, helping the children get ready for the orphan train. She said she wants to do it until she can start back at school in September. I thought it might be too much, given how she lost her own siblings, but she says it helps. She is a very strong young woman.”

  Charlie moved and put his arm around his wife. “She reminds me of someone we all know and love.”

  “Charlie! I am not like her. Frieda is stubborn.”

  Lily’s cheeks turned red as they all laughed. Kathleen suggested Richard and Charlie retire to Charlie’s study.

  “I think our wives want to speak in private, old man,” Charlie said as he escorted Richard out of the room. “Let’s have a drink. It’s an Irish tradition, they say we must wet your new baby’s head.”

  Silence lingered between the women until Lily spoke up. “What’s wrong, Kathleen. You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?”

  “About Elsa, no of course not. I just wanted to ask you something and didn’t want the men to hear me. They will think I am being silly.”

  “You silly? I doubt it.” Lily fell silent.

  Kathleen wetted her suddenly dry mouth. “Lily, do you think Granny did see into the future? I mean she saw Pieter and Mia and she said I would get a baby following a tragedy.” Kathleen’s voice shook. It was one thing Richard telling her none of this was her fault but what if she had started something when she asked Granny to read the leaves.

  Lily laughed but smothered it quickly as Kathleen looked at her.

  “Sorry Kathleen, but that is the dumbest thing you have ever asked me. If Granny could really read the future, do you think she would still be living in Hell’s Kitchen? Not likely. She would be living in some palace somewhere reading the leaves of the rich and famous. It’s just a whole load of superstitious nonsense. Nothing more.”

  Kathleen sighed. She wondered if Lily was right. The sensible side of her brain believed she was but somewhere inside she wondered.

  “Come on. Stop thinking about four leaved clovers and little green men and let’s go find our husbands. We should celebrate your good news. After tomorrow, having a baby around all the time will make you too tired to want to party.”

  Kathleen accepted Lily’s arm and together they went to find their families and celebrate their happiness.

  Epilogue

  September 1904

  Kathleen Green shifted baby Elsa in her arms. Her adopted daughter was growing heavier as the months passed by.

  “Miss Kathleen, want me to carry her?”

  Kathleen smiled at Mini Mike, he doted on her daughter just as did on all children. “No thanks, Mike. I can manage, if you can knock on the door. Do it loudly, as Granny’s hearing isn’t as good as it was.”

  Just as she said the words, the door opened.

  “Nothing wrong with my hearing, Kathleen Collins. I heard every word you said.” Granny stood on the doorstep, hands on her hips, a scowl on her face. “Are you going to let her talk about me like that, Michael?”

  Mike grinned at Kathleen before giving Granny a hug. “I got to go and speak to a fella about a job. I will be back in an hour to collect you Miss Kathleen. Granny, put a smile on your face. You’ll scare Elsa.”

  Kathleen didn’t get a chance to tell Mike she wouldn’t be here for an hour. He had already disappeared into one of the side streets.

  “Who?” Granny asked, peering at the bundle in Kathleen’s arms.

  “My daughter, Elsa.”

  Granny turned pale but quickly regained her color. Kathleen wondered had she imagined it. Granny held the door as Kathleen entered the room. Only when Granny had closed the door behind them, did she speak.

  “The baby I saw in the leaves. Let me hold her.” Granny’s tone suggested it was an order not a request.

  “Sit down first. She’s heavier than she looks.” Kathleen held Elsa tight until Granny did as she was bid.

  “It’s not like I never held a baby before. I ain’t going to drop her.” Granny muttered as she made herself comfortable on the stuffed chair before holding out her arms.

  Kathleen placed the sleeping child into the outstretched arms. All at once, Elsa opened her eyes. Kathleen held her breath expecting the baby to squeal in protest but silence reined.

  Elsa’s eyes locked with Granny’s making Kathleen feel as if she was intruding on a special moment. Granny muttered something, it didn’t sound like English. Kathleen folded her arms in an attempt to stop herself from snatching her daughter back. Granny wouldn’t harm a fly let alone a defenseless baby.

  “She’ll go far. Look at her eyes, they are the window of the soul. She’ll make you proud, Kathleen Green. You and your fancy doctor did well.”

  Kathleen tried to speak but her voice wouldn’t come. Granny had called her by her married name. There was a first time for everything. As she watched, Elsa reached out to Granny’s hand and squeezed it in her own. Granny said something.

  “What did you say to her?” Kathleen asked.

  “It’s hard to translate but it means, May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.” Granny glanced up at Kathleen, her gaze searing a path right into her soul. “What did you think I was doing?”

  Kathleen looked away, her cheeks flushing. “I don’t understand the Gaelic.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t understand. So how are you feeling? You should be watching what you eat. The first three months can be difficult.”

  Kathleen wondered if the woman had lost her mind. Had she forgotten about the tragedy?

  “Granny, I didn’t give birth to Elsa. We adopted her after the fire on the boat.”

  “I know that, you daft eejit. Do you think I lost my mind? I ain’t talking about the babe I’m holding but the one you’re carryin’.”

  Kathleen stared at the woman, shock rendering her speechless. Her legs shook, she grabbed a seat and fell into it. Granny glanced at her before switching her attention back to the baby.

  “Elsa, darling girl, you will have to have patience with your mam. She’s usually an intelligent woman but sometimes she can act a few sandwiches short of a picnic. So what do you fancy? A brother or a sister? If your mam would make herself useful, we could put on a cup of tea and ask the leaves…”

  “No!” Kathleen recovered her strength. “ No more magic or tealeaves or anything like that, Granny. I still haven’t confessed that sin to Father Nelson.”

  Granny snorted.
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br />   Angry at even thinking the woman could be right, Kathleen tried reasoning with her.

  “Granny, what makes you think I’m pregnant? I haven’t been sick or anything. There are no signs.”

  “There are always clues, Kathleen Green, just sometimes we are too blind to see them. Your skin is glowing and your hair looks fuller. You mark my words. You will have your baby by next summer.” Granny peered down at Elsa who was now gripping her finger. “You will be a wonderful sister, won’t you darling? Yes, you will.”

  Kathleen sat back in her chair, her hand fluttering over her belly. Could Granny be right? Again?

  Historical note:

  The sinking as described in the book happened in real life. I have kept as much of the original details as possible as I hate when people change a real-life event to suit a story.

  Mrs. Straub did take her children off the boat after having a premonition something horrible would happen. She was right – almost 750 children died along with over 600 adults.

  Mrs. Prawdzichi, the lady Frieda was to help in the story, survived but lost her four daughters. Only her son, Frankie, one of the first children to spot the fire survived.

  William Richter, the boy Frieda wanted to meet on the roof, survived as he was working that fateful day. His mother and five siblings died that day. One, ten year old Frances, came home.

  Reverend Haas did lose his wife, daughter, sister in law and nephew in the tragedy and nearly his life as he fought in vain to save his parishioners. His sister, Emma, survived.

  Paul Libenow and his wife survived but they lost two of their three daughters. Only their youngest, a baby at the time survived. Paul died six years later in 1910 but by that time had amassed a scrapbook full of every article he found on the disaster.

  After the disaster, the area called Little Germany was never the same. Not only had over 1000 of the residents died, but often it was entire families. The only surviving relatives were those who had gone to work that day rather than attending the picnic. Fathers and brothers came home to find their families had died. The rate of suicide amongst those affected rose sharply. Nobody can quantify just how many people were killed by neglect. Because this was no accident. Was it done on purpose? No. Nobody set fire to the boat but due to several people caring more about money than safety, it was a tragedy waiting to happen.