Addie's Legacy: A Historical Novel

By Shirl Stowe

What made Adelaide Wilson a woman of perseverance and strength; a woman with compassion and courage? It might have been the death of her father when she was only six. It might have been a result of her mother forsaking her as a child. It could have been the years of poverty in an orphan asylum. It might even have been her escape from an oppressive and dangerous husband. But no, more likely, she was born that way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543975246

Book preview

© Shirl Olmsted Stowe 2019

Print ISBN: 978-1-54397-523-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-54397-524-6

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

Denmark, New York

Watertown Asylum For The Destitute And Friendless

Larsens’ Farm

Adelaide Grace Wilson Baker

Quebec, Canada

Adelaide Grace Wilson Baker Dubois

On To Montana

Spokane, Washington

Family Changes

New Family Arrangements

Author’s Note

Although I never met my grandmother, Adelaide Grace, she long ago won my admiration. This story is woven together with many fictional characters and details, but the most unbelievable events are true. Addie’s courage and strength of spirit have been a legacy for all her offspring.

Thank you, Mother, for telling me her story.

Acknowledgements

The following people were instrumental in the completion of this book and I thank them endlessly:

My children, Jeff Spelgatti, Todd Bunday, Carrie Kopacz, and Lew Spelgatti, who supported my efforts by editing, reading and relentlessly encouraging me.

My grandchildren, Tyler Bunday, Alyssa Bunday, Veronica Oyervides, Gwendolyn Kopacz, Abigail Kopacz, Jacob Kopacz, and Angelina Spelgatti, for whom I wrote the story in hopes they would become acquainted with their wonderful great-great grandmother.

My brother, Barton Olmsted, who enjoys the history of our family as much as I do.

My sister, Willene Goodwin (the redheaded infant), who will always be my inspiration and life-long editor.

My sisters-in-law, Molly Black and Corolee Smith, who believed in me throughout the writing.

My friend, Molly Saty (an author and poet in her own right), who provided constant feedback and encouragement.

My friend, Kim Marshall, who brought me forth from writing doldrums more than once.

My generous and patient working editors, Sheryl Stebbins, Jennifer McCord and Andrea Roe, without whose encouragement and suggestions I could not have succeeded.

Finally, I wish to thank my late husband, Warren Nadeau, who patiently heard the story as it was written and re-written, providing feedback and support throughout my efforts.

Denmark, New York

1881

Addie, get up from there, her mother scolded as she gathered the child’s few things into a small box and began reorganizing the spaces they had once occupied.

Addie huddled hopelessly on the floor; her six-year old brain numbed by the unnatural resolve of her mother. Baby sister Elsie sat beside her.

The door was open to the summer sun, and through her tears Addie glimpsed a buckboard wagon stopping in front of the house. Her heart sank as the Sheriff jumped down from the driver’s seat and pushed aside some tools and a few packages to make a space on the bench in the back. He had come by several times since her father’s death, bringing ham, flour or fresh vegetables. This time was different.

We’re in hurry, Ma’am, the Sheriff told Addie’s mother as he walked to the open door.

The woman’s vacant eyes stared back, lifeless as the little house itself, but she said nothing.

‘Hard duty,’ he thought to himself as he shook his head and looked away. Then he continued. Looks like rain down the way and I’d like to get this wagon load on up the road to Champion before it catches us.

Addie’s mother wiped the baby’s face with the ragged bottom of her little dress and handed her to the Sheriff. Then she lifted Addie to her feet, put the box of things into her arms and pushed her toward the Sheriff who was beckoning the child to follow.

Addie took a step and then another, her feet moving as if they belonged to someone else for surely she did not want to get into the wagon. As she approached the buckboard, the lanky young man who had been sitting beside the Sheriff took her box and fit it in among the others. Then he placed Addie on the bench in the back.

Here, said the Sheriff as he handed Elsie to Addie. You hold the baby. We need to make good time so tend to her needs.

Addie looked back to see her brother and sisters busying themselves with every sort of task around the house. There were no goodbyes.

Mama! she cried, but her mother turned and hastily retreated through the door.

Giant tears blinked loose from her deep green eyes and dropped on the top of Elsie’s curly brown hair. Addie brushed them away with her sleeve, stifling sobs and hoping Elsie couldn’t feel them.

The wagon moved with a jolt and began down the lane to the stage road that would lead them from their mother and family to Watertown, New York. Addie watched as they passed the familiar bushes and trees that lined the lane and wondered how soon she would see them again.

Mother will fetch us before long, she whispered in baby Elsie’s ear.

After some time, the Sheriff twisted in his seat and scanned the sky all around.

Can’t believe it ain’t rain’n, Hank, he said to his partner. Looks like the bad weather has shifted direction.

The party bounced and rocked down the road for a couple of hours under a blazing sun. Heat and the motion of the wagon kept Elsie sleeping, sometimes in Addie’s arms and sometimes on the soft hay in the bed of the wagon. For the most part, Addie just sat in silence, hot tears staining her sunburned cheeks.

Addie tried to work out what had happened. ‘Things changed after Papa died,’ she thought. ‘Mama needs more help now than ever. Sister Hattie and sister Nettie take in sewing and they do all the cooking. Brother Lyman does the hard work outside. Even though sister Phoebe is only eight, she does the laundry and keeps the house clean. My main responsibility is Elsie. She’s a good baby, no trouble at all,’ Addie thought, ‘so why are we sent away?’ A renewed stream of tears tumbled off her chin.

She wiped her eyes when the wagon came to a halt.

Help the children down, the Sheriff told his partner. We can get canteen water here at the stream, and I’m sure the children will need to relieve themselves. I’ll fill the bucket with water for the horses.

Elsie opened her round dark eyes and began to cry.

Mama, she said in her baby voice.

Addie held her sister close and calmed her as she fought back tears of her own once more.

Let’s move, Hank urged as he reached for the girls and placed them each in the dusty roadway.

The children hurried behind the trees. Within a few minutes, they were back at the wagon and so was the Sheriff. Addie climbed over the side of the wagon herself while Hank hoisted Elsie onto the bench seat.

Here Elsie, Addie said as she reached into her pocket for one of the two boiled eggs her mother had placed there. The other remained where it was, a safeguard against their uncertain future. Elsie’s egg disappeared in small bites as the horses drank their water. Then they were off once again.

The little troupe stopped once more along the way to relieve themselves, but Elsie’s schedule didn’t coincide. As a result, she and Addie were both wet when the wagon pulled into the town of Champion in the twilight.

The Sheriff stopped the wagon in front of a large building attached to a store and Post Office on the main street of the little town.

Hank, he said, take the children into the hotel while I put the horses and wagon in the livery. I’ll join you all for dinner when I’m finished.

Hank jumped down and circled to the back of the wagon. Come on young’uns, he said. It’s getting late and you will need all the rest you can get for a long day tomorrow.

He reached up taking Elsie from Addie’s arms, and then he set her down near the wagon. Addie scrambled over the side. She looked around at this town she had only heard about. ‘It isn’t far from home,’ she thought. ‘Papa and Mama talked about Champion. Or did they go here once?’ She couldn’t remember, but she knew she and Elsie didn’t belong here.

The tall man pushed them along toward the doorway of the hotel. It smelled good inside. Addie’s stomach growled.

Land sakes you look weary, the lady from inside said as she hugged the little ones. You’re wet, too. Not much we can do about that, but you’ll dry soon enough.

The lady escorted them to a table where they waited endlessly for the Sheriff to return. Elsie fidgeted and cried regardless of Addie’s attempts to calm her. The tot intended to stretch her legs. Hunger gnawed at her stomach as well, so she whimpered as she circled the empty tables in the room. Addie let her be.

What is the commotion? the Sheriff asked as he entered the hotel. Let’s eat and get these children up to bed before we disturb everyone in town.

The hotel lady came back from the kitchen and placed slabs of warm white bread and bowls of hot pea soup in front of them. The Sheriff handed her a requisition, and she tucked it in her apron, disappearing once again into the kitchen.

Addie helped Elsie manage her spoon between her own bites of soup, but some of the green liquid found its way down the front of little Elsie’s dress. The soft white bread disappeared quickly from beside their bowls. Finally, they were full and tired.

The lady reappeared at their table.

I’ll take the little ones up to bed, she said. They can stay in my room. She looked at the Sheriff. You two can share the room on the right, at the end of the hall.

Thank you, Ma’am, he said.

He and Hank left the table and headed outside. The girls followed the lady.

It ain’t home, she said, but it will have to do.

She dabbed a wet cloth over the road grime on Elsie’s face. Then she applied the rag to Addie’s face.

Land sakes, she declared, your spots are permanent. You do have a hassle of freckles.

She laughed as she stripped the girls of their dresses and then pinned a thick rag around Elsie’s bottom.

This will do for a diaper, she said as she placed them under the flannel blanket on her own bed.

Then she climbed in beside them.

Elsie was asleep in an instant, but Addie felt a lump form in her throat. She didn’t like being away from home, and she didn’t like being in this strange bed. Again, tears sprung from her eyes until they were finally captured within her closed lids and she slept.

Wake up children. The lady pulled the light blanket from their bodies. Get moving. The Sheriff and his deputy are downstairs waiting on you.

She handed Addie her dress and put the other one on Elsie, removing the wet rag from around the baby’s middle.

Whew, these dresses are strong! She pinched her nose as she lifted Elsie.

Then she took Addie by the hand moving quickly through the door and down the stairs.

The Sheriff and Hank were waiting with the wagon in front of the hotel. It was barely daylight, but they had been up for an hour readying the rig and the horses. Addie knew her place, and she climbed up into the wagon settling in the same spot she had occupied the day before. The lady lifted Elsie up to her from the side and the wagon once again jolted forward.

There was little time to consider the situation. Elsie was crying again. Hungry, Addie supposed.

The Sheriff reached around and placed a jar of milk next to Addie. Then he handed her something wrapped in newspaper.

This is for you and the baby, he said simply and then turned back to his driving.

Addie opened the warm paper. Three large biscuits covered two round sausages on the bottom. The jar was full of fresh milk. Food seemed to satisfy Elsie, but Addie found it hard to eat. She finished her sausage and saved two biscuits in her pocket along with the egg left from yesterday. ‘If I eat that egg,’ she thought, ‘I’ll have nothing left from mother.’ She hunkered down and waited for this leg of her journey to end.

The day dragged on, hot and humid. There were no towns between Champion and Watertown, nothing to break the monotony of the bumpy road and the burning sun. Addie lay in the hay, her copper red hair mingling with the golden stalks of dried grass. Little Elsie slept beside her. When they awoke in the afternoon, their faces were red and burned.

Do you have any water? Addie ventured, but the men in front did not hear.

Her jar of milk was empty.

Mister, she croaked in a louder voice as she reached forward and touched the Sheriff’s back, is there anything to drink?

Drink this, he replied, and he handed Addie his canteen.

The water was warm, but it quenched her thirst. She helped Elsie get a drink and handed it back.

Me hungry, Elsie said to Addie.

Addie reached in her pocket. The biscuits were reduced to crumbs, but she collected them in her hand and held them for Elsie to pick at. The egg remained untouched.

Hours passed. Addie had no sense of how long it had been since they left Champion or how long it would be before they would arrive in Watertown. She tried not to think. Elsie’s few needs were her only motivation to stay awake. For now, she just wanted to cuddle.

Finally, in the distance, Addie saw houses and buildings. They became clearer and larger as the wagon rolled toward them. At last, they entered the city, twisting and turning down a maze of smooth streets. Tall buildings reached for the sky on both sides, block after block.

Well, little ones, here we are, the Sheriff hollered back to the children as the wagon climbed a small rise and entered two black iron gates. It’s a nice place, and you’ll find it warm inside with plenty of good food. Lots of friends to make here.

He lifted Elsie out of Addie’s arms and encouraged Addie to climb down. Once down, Addie reached for Elsie and held her squirming shape tightly as she followed the Sheriff to the front door of the building. A stern looking woman in a long dark dress with a white lace collar stood on the porch. Her dark hair was pulled up into a knot at the top of her head, fully exposing her sharp black eyes. She looked the children up and down and then walked to the Sheriff.

Here they are, Miss Norris. This belongs to them.

The Sheriff tipped his hat and handed her the small box. Job accomplished, he walked back to the wagon where his partner waited and then he drove it out through the iron gates.

Watertown Asylum For The Destitute And Friendless

Arrival

At a year and a half, Elsie was not concerned with these new life arrangements. Her dark brown eyes were wide and curious as Miss Norris led the children through the great room, up a big staircase, down a dark hallway and past a dozen or more girls and boys. Some youngsters were scrubbing the floor and talking with one another. Some were standing idly with no sign of happiness on their young faces. ‘Which ones will be my friends?’ Addie wondered as they entered a room full of beds at the end of the hall.

This is yours, Miss Norris said as she lit a lamp and pointed to a small bed near the door.

A stained gray blanket covered the mattress and a small rag filled pillow lay at the head.

You’ll have to share as it’s all we have available.

Relieved, Addie hugged Elsie closer. They had slept together since Elsie was born, and Addie was glad to learn that would not change.

We’ve finished dinner, but I imagine you are both hungry after your ride here, Miss Norris stated.

She turned to walk out of the room, glancing back to see if they were following. What is that you are putting under the pillow? she inquired.

Addie jumped back with no reply.

Why would you put a cracked and broken egg in your bed? she asked as she removed the remnant from under the pillow. This will smell by morning. Come, get fresh food downstairs.

She pointed to the door and Addie walked, Elsie in her arms.

Down the stairs and toward the back of the building, they entered the kitchen. A thin woman wrapped in a long brown apron stood in front of the cook stove stirring a small pot. She took two tin cups from the shelf above and filled them with hot milk from the pot.

We’ve been expecting you, she said as Miss Norris walked out. Drink this; it will renew your spirit. Be careful, it’s hot.

Addie climbed up on a stool at a tall table and lifted Elsie to her lap. Before Addie finished her first cup, Elsie was drinking her second.

This bread is dry, but it’s good broken into the milk, the woman said, filling Addie’s cup again. My name is Katie, and I’ll be on the lookout for you in the morning.

Either the warm food or this lady’s soft smile made Addie feel a little better. ‘Still,’ she thought, ‘warm food and a smile will never make this home.’

Despite the long sleep they had in the wagon, both Elsie and Addie were exhausted, so they trundled up the stairs and climbed into the bed in the dark.

Sleep had just come to Addie when a sharp whistle penetrated her silence. A dozen or more girls scrambled into the room and readied themselves for bed. Addie’s eyes remained closed, but she heard the girls talk about the two new orphan girls, wondering why they came. Addie wondered too. ‘Surely mother was sorry now,’ she thought. ‘I know my brother and sisters are missing us.’

Daily Life

Regardless of Addie’s resistance to belong, she and Elsie were soon caught up in the Asylum routine. The semi-rural setting provided space for a garden and farm animals, plenty of work for forty some residents to stay busy.

Feeding chickens and gathering eggs was a simple enough task, but Addie’s greatest satisfaction came in caring for the horses. Dan and Belle were beautiful big bays who seemed to take a liking to the young girl. They took her mind off her situation for a short time each day. Sam, the burly barn and grounds keeper, seemed happy for her help, and she liked him. His mustache tipped up when he smiled, and smiling was his practice.

In the big house, Addie made their bed, took her turn washing dishes, and was soon learning to knit. But she considered her primary duty to be Elsie’s care. She bathed her baby sister, tried to comb her unruly brown curls, changed her when she wet and played with her.

Throughout the summer the two were inseparable. Now school was about to start, and Addie was reluctant to have someone else take over.

Let’s get dressed quickly, Addie told Elsie. School starts for me today, and we have breakfast to eat first.

Elsie scrambled over to Addie, tucking her head down inside her flannel night shirt and pulling on the sleeves while Addie lifted it off her. Hands above her head, Elsie dove into her little dress as Addie pulled it over her shoulders and down her back. It stretched tightly across Elsie’s body.

You’ve grown since we left, Addie said. This little dress won’t fit around you much longer.

Addie gave no mind to her own worn and frayed frock.

I’ll ask Katie how to get you a bigger dress, but for now this will have to do,

They headed down the stairs.

Me go? Elsie asked as they sat in their places at the pine slab table nearest the windows.

Elsie, you must be six before you can start school, Addie whispered.

The hard,