Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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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 don't know" and deflections of responsibility—stand in sharp contrast to the confident accounts of certain survivors. Yet beyond this seemingly evasive testimony lies a remarkable life story: this same man later became a key figure in America's WWII salvage efforts, coordinating critical material reclamation across 19 Midwestern states.

Why are so many Eastland stories missing from our collective memory? From legal proceedings that stretched into the 1930s to Treasury Department documents suggesting the vessel was dangerously overloaded, the historical record remains frustratingly incomplete. Still, this drives my ongoing mission to uncover these forgotten voices.

The most gratifying moments come when family members reach out after hearing their relative's story told, often for the first time. These connections remind us that history isn't just about events—it's about people whose lives deserve remembrance and recognition. Join me as we piece together the fragmented history of the Eastland disaster, one overlooked story at a time.

Resources:

• National Archives at Chicago: Steamship Eastland Disaster
• Transcript of Testimony: Coroner Peter Hoffman (1915)

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
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• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 been missing from most Eastland history sites and books. It’s packed with survivor testimonies, real-time emotion, and names you’ve probably never heard… because they’ve been left out.

I first came across a two-page summary tucked inside a set of insurance claim files for Eastland victims—people who had been insured through the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, or PRCUA. I found them on FamilySearch, and that tiny breadcrumb led me to something big: the full 156-page coroner’s inquest, hiding in the University of Minnesota’s digital archives… practically in my own backyard. And now? I’m bringing it to light.

Resources:

Transcript of Testimony Before the Coroner's Jury, July 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, on the body of Kate Austin and all others lost by the overturning of the Excursion Steamer Eastland while tied to the dock at Clark and S. Water Streets in the City of Chicago, July 24,1915

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 they died of the Eastland" continues to guide my research.
• The Forgotten 1905 Incident: I share two newspaper articles from August 13, 1905, documenting a serious accident involving the Eastland at South Haven, Michigan. The gasoline ferry launch "Phylidia" was destroyed when it came too close to the Eastland's propellers, causing an explosion that hurled over 20 passengers into the water.
• Burning Water: Several victims suffered burns when the gasoline ignited on the water's surface. Heroic rescuers, including Chicago resident Gordon Eckerson, pulled victims from the blazing water.
• The Major Sisters: I explore the lives of Ethel and Kate Major, two Chicago sisters who survived the 1905 incident. Kate, despite severe burns to her legs, went on to become an accomplished opera singer who performed with John Philip Sousa before her death in 1925.
• Captain Walter Donahue: The launch captain ignored warnings about getting too close to the Eastland's propellers. My research reveals he was a Spanish-American War veteran who later suffered from a devastating illness.
• Hidden Histories: This incident demonstrates how important historical events can be overlooked or forgotten. 

New Short Story by Natalie Zett

• The Eastland Hungers 

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 dates and places to understand who our ancestors truly were as complete human beings.

The Eastland's victims—predominantly Eastern European and Southern Italian immigrants—left behind what I call "receipts": newspaper accounts, court testimonies, letters, and other documentary evidence of their existence. These receipts haven't vanished; they've simply been waiting for someone to find them. And now, a growing community of independent researchers is committed to ensuring these stories are finally told.

Take Anna Johnson, whose remarkable premonition aboard the Eastland saved not only her life but those of her sister and brother-in-law. Moving to the starboard side just before the ship capsized, they survived while 812 others perished. Anna's story, published in 1963 as her sister and brother-in-law celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, had been essentially forgotten until recovered through dedicated research.

This podcast has traveled to Europe, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and beyond—proof that these century-old stories still resonate deeply across time and space. People connect with these narratives because they recognize universal human experiences: love, loss, intuition, resilience.

Ready to discover what receipts your own ancestors left behind? Join me on this journey of historical recovery and see how the past isn't as distant as it might seem. Subscribe to hear more untold stories from the Eastland disaster, and visit flowerintheriver.com to explore this history further.

Resource:

• RootsTech 2025
• Crista Cowan -  The Barefoot Genealogist

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 time
• The 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 night
• The Eastland Disaster (1915) - Moments from boarding, Bertha and her husband watched in horror as the steamship capsized in the Chicago River, drowning over 800 people—including six members of the family next door

FAMILY HISTORIES INTERTWINED

In this personal episode, I share the remarkable parallels between my own family history and Bertha's:

• Both our families survived the devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889
• Both fled Pennsylvania for Chicago seeking safety from disaster
• Both families were touched by the Eastland tragedy (my great-aunt perished while Bertha narrowly escaped)
• The shared grief that travels through generations—disaster memories that become part of our family identities

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

• Bertha's haunting firsthand account: "Bert! Bert! Please help me!" -- The desperate cries that followed her for decades
• How a traffic delay saved Bertha and her husband from being on the doomed Eastland
• Parallel journeys: How my family and Bertha's family both survived the Johnstown Flood, relocated to Chicago seeking safety, only for both families to be touched by the Eastland disaster
• Why Bertha developed a lifelong fear of water so powerful she once abandoned a trip rather than board a ship
• The remarkable resilience of a woman who maintained her sense of humor despite witnessing so much tragedy

SHARED TRAUMA ACROSS GENERATIONS

The episode explores how disasters create ripples through time, becoming part of our identity even generations later—a shared emotional inheritance that connects my story with Bertha's in ways neither of us could have imagined.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Johnstown Flood documentary (1989) directed by Charles Guggenheim, narrated by David McCullough - Available free on Archive.org
• Iroquois Theatre website
• "Always in the Water, Always in the Heart." Copyright 2025
  Concept by Natalie Zett, Generated via SUNO

"When that sense of humor is gone, everything's gone." - Bertha Behrend Healy

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 feature
• Approximately 22 Eastland victims identified who held PRCUA life insurance policies
• Documents include detailed death records, beneficiary certificates, coroner's reports, and correspondence

The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA)

• Founded in 1873
• Oldest and largest Polish American fraternal benefits society in the US
• Introduced life insurance in 1886
• Granted women full membership in 1897 (23 years before US women's suffrage)
• Continues today with over 42,000 members

Why Insurance Mattered to Immigrants

• Working conditions in factories, mines, and mills often dangerous
• Few workplace protections or social safety nets
• No Social Security (didn't exist until later)
• Without insurance, families sometimes faced destitution if breadwinners died

Featured Eastland Victims and Their Records 

*Emma Joschko

• Age: 16
• Joined PRCUA: July 10, 1914
• Death benefit: $250
• Beneficiaries: Parents Jacob and Matilda Joschko
• Member of Polish Society St. Agatha #611

 *Maria Dudek

• Insurance amount: $500
• Joined: July 26, 1910
• Complex case involving:
  • Multiple beneficiaries  
  • International correspondence
  •  American Red Cross inquiry
  •  German birth certificate from Poland

Historical Significance

• Documents written in multiple languages 
• Provides insight into immigrant experience
• Shows community response to mass casualty event
• Reveals complexity of insurance claims process
• Demonstrates importance of fraternal organizations

Pete Hoffman's Role

• Cook County Coroner during Eastland disaster
• Established centralized morgue at Second Regiment Armory
• Convened coroner's jury
• Provided detailed documentation for insurance claims

Resources

• FamilySearch.org/Labs - Experimental search features
• Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA)

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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? What does it tell us about how we preserve history? And what can we learn from a town of about 1,000 people who manage to keep their own history alive?

 In This Episode:

 📖 Fall Creek’s surprising link to the Eastland Disaster—and why this small town’s dedication to history changed my perspective.

🕊️ The missing grave markers of Eastland victims—whose stories have been lost, and why their memory still matters.

🔍 Fact-checking an unverified claim about unmarked graves and burial customs in 1915 Chicago.

💡 Why independent researchers, genealogists, and communities play a crucial role in preserving history.

 Suggestions for Keeping  History Alive

 💬 Share this episode with history lovers, genealogists, and those passionate about remembering the past.

🔎 Look up an Eastland victim on Find a Grave—see if they have a source-cited memorial, and if not, consider contributing.

📚 Support historical research—whether through independent projects, community genealogy groups, or simply asking more questions.

🧐 Don’t be afraid to cast a critical eye on historical claims—especially those without source citations. If something doesn’t add up, dig deeper. History deserves accuracy, not assumptions

 Links:

• Sights and sounds of the valley : a history of Fall Creek (free PDF download) 
• The Case of the Missing Grave Markers**OR**How to Ghost the Already Ghosted

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 ancestral detective work, you know this entire journey has been one wild coincidence after another! 😄I shared my story, and next thing I knew, I was sitting down with her for Stories That Live in Us! The episode just dropped this week and I'm absolutely floored by all your messages. Crista, you're amazing!

Why This Podcast Means So Much

Flower in the River isn't just about my book or my family story. It's about the people - the individuals whose stories have been overlooked, whose lives intersected with the Eastland Disaster but whose voices haven't been heard. We're running out of time to preserve these stories, and I refuse to let them be forgotten.

How I Find These Hidden Stories

You asked how I dig up these overlooked stories, and honestly? It’s equal parts detective work, magic, and a bit of obsession.

A Few Go-To Resources:

•   Find A Grave (my second home) and Graveyard Posts on Instagram
•  Chicago Genealogical Society (they probably think I'm moving in)
• Chicago Public Library, Newberry Library, and Allen County Public Library's PERSI collection
•  Google Books, HathiTrust, Illinois Digital Library, and old copies of The Sentinel
• Wayback Machine and Internet Archive (for when websites ghost us)

What's Coming Up?

Next week we're diving into The Case of the Missing Grave Markers - and trust me, this one's wild.To everyone listening, whether you found us yesterday or you've been here since episode 1 - you're the reason I keep digging into these stories. Here's to 100 more

🎧 Listen to my guest appearance on Crista Cowan’s podcast!

• Stories That Live In Us – Episode 45

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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—some buried in the pages of the New York Times for over a century. From dramatic rescues to heartbreaking losses, these accounts expose the raw human toll of the tragedy.

But how did these stories travel from Chicago to New York in an era before instant communication? Discover the behind-the-scenes world of early 20th-century journalism, where telegraph operators worked through the night and reporters raced the clock to break the biggest story of their careers.

Join us as we bridge past and present, revealing how America first learned about Chicago’s deadliest day—through the eyes of the East Coast press.

Sources:

•The Scoop, July 30, 1915

•The New York Times, various issues, 1915

•The Chicago Tribune, various issues, 1915

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

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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 unsuspecting passengers, capsizes right before his eyes. Jack Woodford—writer, observer, dreamer—is frozen in time. What he witnesses changes him forever, but it’s not just the event itself that leaves a mark. It’s how he chooses to capture it. His words are raw, immediate, philosophical—striking in a way no other account of the disaster dares to be.

And yet, history tucked his testimony away, like a forgotten page in an old book. Why? That question gnawed at me, pulling me deeper into Jack’s life. He wasn’t just an eyewitness; he was a man who lived boldly. From churning out pulp novels to crafting how-to writing guides, from brushes with Hollywood’s glamour to clashes with the law, Jack Woodford was a force to be reckoned with.

In this episode, we unravel Jack’s story—his life, his work, his haunting connection to the Eastland disaster. We’ll dive into the immediate chaos he captured so vividly and the philosophical musings that followed. Along the way, we’ll confront some uncomfortable truths: who gets to decide which stories matter? Why do some voices echo through time, while others disappear?

Join me as we bridge the gap between past and present, exploring not just the disaster but the lasting ripples it sends through all our lives. This is about more than a tragedy. It’s about memory, resilience, and the power of storytelling to shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Resources

• Trial and error : a key to the secret of writing and selling (Internet Archive)
• Rakuten Kobo (Kobo Books)

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist