Finding Elizabeth

by Faith Helm

  Elizabeth

  November 16, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  Today when Annie came she brought the most welcome surprise. It was a wooden cradle for Emma, that the stable hands made for her. I think it is the most lovely bed a child could hope for. As if the cradle was not enough, Annie also gave me the most beautiful white blanket, that fits perfectly inside. I know she must have spent hours stitching the delicate details.

  I shall cherish both gifts forever. The cradle was such a relief, I had feared that leaving poor Emma in a crate on the floor would bring her illness as the cold winter months approach.

  I love to watch Annie with Emma. You can see the love and pride on her face and her hope for Emma's future. I would think that my dear mother would have the same look on her face as she gazed into the eyes of my beautiful daughter.

  As the year draws on, I keep hoping father will have a change of heart. Perhaps I will be permitted to celebrate the birth of Jesus with my precious baby daughter and my sweet William by my side.

  I have asked Annie to retrieve my bible from my room. I shall begin reading to Emma so she may know the Lord Jesus Christ as she grows.

  Elizabeth

  Hearing a soft knock on her bedroom door, Claire looked up, "Come in."

  Daniel slowly opened the door, and peered in, "Hey, I came down to get a drink of water and I could see the light under your door. I guess you couldn't sleep?"

  "No, I couldn't. I don't want you to think I'm crazy but I heard a woman sobbing. I know it was Elizabeth. I need to put an end to this mystery. I decided to read her journal and try to figure it out," Claire said.

  "I don't think you are crazy at all. Actually I was hoping you would let me help you solve the mystery. Can I come in? You can read the journal to me," Daniel said.

  Patting the bed beside her Claire picked up the journal and began where she left off.

  November 21, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  To my dismay father has again visited my bedchamber. I had hoped that after the birth of Emma he would somehow see me differently. I fear that even though she is so young she will be scarred by the evil he commits. I did not resist, for I know that it is not only my life I have to protect but that of hers.

  After father left as I lie in bed, I kept thinking to myself about my future outside this prison. Even though I feel I am married in the eyes of the Lord to my dear Thomas, I also know that it will never be. My Emma will need a father, but I fear that any man I marry would commit evil acts against her. I shall talk to Annie to see if she can advise me of what to do.

  I know she is young and will not remember, but I have begun to read stories of the bible to Emma. I read them every day in hopes that as she grows they will be deeply rooted within her. I love to listen to her coo from her cradle as I read softly to her. I have been trying to remember all the nursery rhymes and lullaby's that mother used to share with Andrew and I. I want my daughter to have the magical childhood she deserves.

  Annie brought me word of William. He is doing well in school and has even met a new friend, Peter. Annie says he is growing into a fine young boy. She has not spoken of ill treatment of William at fathers hand. But I know she would never convey such a horrible message, in fear that I might lash out at father. As Annie knows just what father has done to mother, and what he would surely do to me if I did.

  Elizabeth

  December 1, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  I woke last night to the sound of Emma crying and as I turned to pick her up, father was standing over her cradle. I thought for a moment that my heart would stop. I slowly rose and went to pick up my sweet little girl. I demanded to know what he was doing. He just laughed, and said, "I wanted to see my granddaughter."

  I tried to ignore him, but as he stood there he watched me for what seemed like an hour before he finally took his leave. I am not sure what he was thinking, but I am sure it was nothing good, for that man is pure evil.

  After he left I picked up my bible and began to read. I have found solace in the written word as it gives me strength and hope for the future.

  Elizabeth

  December 12, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  I wanted to tell you about my beautiful Emma, so I shall never forget it. She has a small patch of fine hair on the top of her head. It is very thin yet but it is most definitely red.

  I have begun to play with the rattle that Annie brought her. You should hear her little giggle. It is the most beautiful sound in the world. I wish there was a way to trap the sound in a bottle so I could listen to it over and over again.

  The first thing I shall do when I am free from my captivity is to find someone to make a Daguerreotype of her so I can capture her angelic face. Although I know there is no way to ever erase the image of her beautiful little face from my memory.

  As Christmas is coming I have began using scraps of fabric that Annie brought me and I have made Emma a beautiful little doll. It shall be a sight to watch her play and care for it as she grows over the years.

  Elizabeth

  December 25, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  Today is such a somber day as I reflect on holidays of the past. For as long as I can remember holidays were the most special time around our house. We would worship each morning and then return to a fine meal. Usually ham, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, yams, spiced apples, beans, bread and wonderful pie.

  After dinner was served father would let us look in our Christmas stocking which usually concealed an apple or an orange, a peppermint stick, and sometimes a small toy. We would each open our gifts, and for the remainder of the evening we would sit in the parlor near the Christmas tree and sing as mother played the piano. Mother always served us gingerbread cookies and spiced cider or warm milk before tucking us in to our beds with a Christmas story.

  It was always a fine day full of laughter and fun. I miss those times with mother, Andrew and William and I shall cherish the memories from those days forever.

  I am hopeful at the thought that next Christmas we will be in a new home and I can begin my own traditions with Emma and William.

  I spent much of today singing Christmas carols to Emma as she cooed sweetly to the sound of my voice. I am thankful she is so tiny and will not remember this day, as it was not the happy, magical day I hoped would be her first Christmas.

  Elizabeth

  December 29, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  Something is amiss. I awoke last night to father sitting in the chair in my chamber holding baby Emma. I did not move from my bed for a long moment as I tried to ascertain what he was doing. As she began to cry, I pretended to wake. I quickly grabbed her and was able to soothe her back to sleep. As father left my chamber he turned to look at me, and the look on his face was one of pure hate. I am so frightened of what he is planning, but I now fear for Emma's safety as well as mine. A fear unlike any I have felt before.

  Annie tried to calm my fears, but warned me that as soon as the weather was warm, I would need to be prepared to fight my way out of this house. She has advised me not to take William. She fears father will most definitely come after me if I were to take his son. The thought of never seeing my sweet baby brother again leaves me with great sadness, but as Emma's mother I must protect her. She is a beautiful gift from God and I shall protect her at all cost to myself.

  Annie has given me the address of a friend of hers in Boston. She said she would write to her and ask her to take me in. I am relieved at the thought that within a few months Emma and I could be freed. But I am saddened at the possibility of never seeing William or Annie again.

  Elizabeth

  January 13, 1887

  Dear Diary,

  My concern over fathers behavior continues to grow. Last night I again woke to baby Emma crying. I rose to feed and change her and as I sat rocking her to sleep, I noticed movement behind the privacy screen in my room.

  I tried not to act startled, for I did not want him to know
I had seen him. After Emma was back in her bed, I turned out the light as I returned to my bed. I pretended to be asleep and for several minutes father just kept standing there. When he thought I was asleep I saw him cross the room to Emma's cradle, and he put his finger in her mouth. When she began to cry, I jumped up to comfort her and father quickly left without saying a word.

  I find his behavior very alarming. I can not imagine why he would put his finger in her mouth, but I know it is no good.

  I fear that if I go to sleep he will come in and steal her away. I know he does not consider what is in her best interest, or he would show her love and care and let us out of this cold attic. I have wondered if father is playing a game on my mind to torment me and drive me mad with worry.

  I pray to God every day to grant me the wisdom to know what to do.

  Elizabeth

  January 17, 1887

  Dear Diary,

  I am so concerned over my sweet Emma. Yesterday her breathing became very labored and then she began to have a coughing fit. I noticed her lips were turning blue. I ran to the door and pounded on it until my fists began to bleed.

  As I stood there sobbing and screaming at the thought of my sweet baby dying, Annie rushed into the room. She quickly put a little laudanum on her finger and gave it to her. Emma's coughing fit stopped for a while, however her breathing is still quite labored. Annie has stayed with me throughout and we each take turns caring for Emma. We have had to administer the laudanum several more times. I fear it is too strong for such a tiny bundle.

  I hope that father returns to my chamber soon, I shall demand he let me out, so I can take Emma to the doctor. I am prepared to do whatever necessary to get her to safety. Annie has agreed that should I meet my death, that she will take Emma far away and raise her in my stead. Although I hope that is not the case, but I do trust Annie with all of my heart. I know that she shall give Emma the life she deserves.

  I do not know what I would do if not for Annie as I fear my Emma would be gone from my life. I hope and pray that my baby gets well. I do not know what I shall do if harm were ever to come to her.

  Elizabeth

  January 19, 1887

  Dear Diary,

  This is the most painful thing I shall ever have to write. Last night my beautiful baby Emma was taken from me. She had been ill for a few days and finally her little body just quit struggling as she went to sleep for the last time. I can not convey the grief I feel. I do not think there are words for the pain in my heart.

  As father pulled my beautiful daughter from my arms, I kicked and screamed and cried but it was no use. Father showed no compassion and as he grabbed her I noticed a satisfied smile on his face as he said, "I have sent her to heaven." As soon as his words were spoken he turned and left and took my precious Emma with him.

  Annie was a witness to fathers cruel words and has said that she now fears father had been coming to my chamber and harming Emma. We have spoken many prayers over Emma and sang our beautiful song.

  All the dreams I had for my sweet daughter are buried with her. The thought that I shall never again be able to hold her as I soothe her tears, or watch her grow and learn has left me feeling empty.

  I have cried a million tears, but I fear I will cry a million more. Annie has continued to stay with me as we comfort each other. And now, as my sweet darling girl is cradled in the arms of mother and Thomas, I fear my life too has come to an end.

  Elizabeth

  Claire's tears fell freely as she flipped through the journal, "That's it, there are no more entries. Elizabeth never wrote anything else. How will we know what happened to her?"

  Wiping away his own tears Daniel said, "Surely there has to be something else in this house that tells about Elizabeth's life. We just need to look harder."

  ***

  Chapter Sixteen

  After everything she had read, Claire just wasn't sure she wanted to hear any more. But she had come this far, and wanted to find out the truth and in doing so, honor Elizabeth. After a short nap, Claire and Daniel began to search the house for any information they could find on Elizabeth.

  They searched in the attic, looked in every box that had been brought up from the basement and there was still nothing. Aside from a couple of family bibles and old pictures of Andrew and Rebecca, there was absolutely nothing that mentioned any of the family members.

  They continued on, searching the upper floors. They looked behind pictures, in drawers and inside of every trinket box, trunk or cabinet they found and still there was nothing.

  "It would be helpful if we knew what we were looking for," Daniel said.

  Feeling deflated Claire sat down and rested her chin on her hand as she sat there thinking about where they could find information on the family. I have done genealogy searches and they always come up empty. Think Claire, this is important.

  Jumping up Claire said, "I have an idea."

  Daniel followed as Claire led him downstairs and into the library, "Good idea, Why didn't we start here?"

  Daniel went to the wall of books, "Maybe there's a book on the history of the Van Whites. They were a prominent family."

  Claire sat down at the desk and looked through the papers that were in the drawers. There were old bills, letters from friends, tax information and files on each of the properties. Absolutely nothing useful. As she reached the last drawer she pulled out a file that held old newspaper clippings. She carefully went through each one. Most were from the 1940's but some were older. Finally near the bottom of the stack Claire saw a clipping that caught her eye, "I think I found something."

  Quickly moving to her side Daniel peered over her shoulder as she read aloud.

  Miss Annie Cummings hanged for the murder of local business man

  Miss Annie Cummings age 36 of Eureka Springs was hanged on January 27, 1887 for the murder of Mr. Phillip Van White. Below is a partial account of Miss Cummings statement.

  It all began when Mr. Van White poisoned Miss Emma Campbell the infant daughter of Mr. Thomas Campbell and Miss Elizabeth Van White. When Miss Van White learned of her daughters death she was stricken with such grief that she drank the bottle of laudanum, causing her own death. Miss Cummings, who was the maid for Miss Van White was distraught over the death of her beloved Elizabeth. She took Mr. Van White's gun out of his desk and concealed it in her pocket. When Mr. Van White visited Miss Cummings in her bed chamber she demanded to know the truth. Mr. Van White became enraged and began to strike her. As she grabbed the gun she had concealed in her pocket, Mr. Van White confessed in hopes she would spare his life.

  Miss Cummings stated that, "Mr. Phillip shall pay for all of the evil he has committed." To her account Mr. Van White has taken the life of at least two other people; his own wife, Olivia Van White and Thomas Campbell, the father of Miss Emma Campbell.

  Laying the clipping down, Claire sat quietly trying to take it all in. She now knew what had become of Elizabeth. It wasn't what she hoped she would find, but it was the truth.

  "Are you ok?" Daniel asked.

  "I guess, I'm not sure what I thought I would find, but at least now we have answers. I had just hoped that maybe she had gotten away from her father and was able to move on with her life. I was hoping to find something saying she had married and was blessed with a house full of children," Claire said.