A little background......

Friday's Story at Attic Whispers:

And The Band Played On

A little ditty about a couple of people who just happen to meet while enjoying a music concert

in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco in 1892.

When I found these two photos, I noticed they were taken by the same photographer (Cramer) about the same era, and the man's photograph had written on the back: George W. Bennett.  Being the genealogy snoop that I am, I did a little digging.

I found Charles L. Cramer, a San Francisco photographer from 1865 to 1905 with a studio called California Photographic Gallery and a partner named, Bailey (could also be Bayley). Charles had a wife, Melinda and a son, Frank. They lived at Pine and Kearney Streets in S.F.

George W. Bennett had 4 listings in San Francisco about this time.

1st George: married Sarah Conley July 29, 1892 by Rev. Beatty and lived at 939 1/2 Dolores in San Francisco (per 1901 directory) He seems to possibly have been from Michigan.  I couldn't find much about Sarah except she was born in 1865.

2nd George: Listed in the San Francisco Langley's 1893 Directory as a department manager for Levi Strauss and Company on Battery Street - this man was much older than my photo would indicate and in 1903 left California to Manage Economic Loom Company in New York City.

3rd George: Was a musician and had a band called Bennett's Concert Band. They mostly played marching band music and hired out for a variety of events. Again, older than my photo.

4th George: This man was very interesting. He worked as a S.F. Police Detective (Sargent/Lieutenant), was very well liked and usually caught his man (as court records of the time indicate multiple testimonies by George W.).  George retired from the force after 20 years in 1898. He and a few friends headed north to St. Michael's (not sure where that is) and mined for gold, they were there only a few months when -- He Struck It Rich! He became a multi-millionaire (by 1898 standards) over night.  Sidebar: in 1898 $1.00 would be equal to $25.00 today).

So, you see how this writer's mind works - I start with a photograph, hear a story forming and start writing. But, I can easily get distracted when there is information about the photograph I'm working with and start mining the information for details. I usually change the name (if one is given and not many are), location and history (if I find any) and create a piece of entertaining, fictitious history. With this particular story, I had to use his real name -- the true histories was just too interesting not to include, although I combined a few of the true George W.s backgrounds to fit my story.

Hope you'll enjoy today's story at Attic Whispers.

2011 Book Reports and Update

 

Shock Wave by John Sandford

Another great Virgil Flowers story. Virgil is sent to defuse an exploding situation in southeastern Minnesota. Literally, bombs are going off daily as a bomber tries to stop a super store from coming to this small town.  Virgil is brought in to stop the bomber from lighting another fuse.

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

What started as a recipe and story blog, Orangette, turns into a book that is entertaining and fun to read. Molly takes us from her childhood memories to present day life through food. 

V is for Vengence by Sue Grafton

A slow spin for Ms. Grafton and at times a bit of a sluggish read.  But, if you're a Grafton fan and are following her ABS series you'll want to read the antics Kinsey gets herself into next.

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

A Christmas season does not go by without me reading Winter Solstice. I love this story of compassion, loss and friendship.  Five people unexpectedly coming together, supporting one another and creating a wonderful holiday in snowy northern Scotland. 

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

It's Christmastime and a film crew has arrived at Flavia's home estate to film a movie. When the plot turns from fiction to fact, Flavia de Luce isn't far behind to root out the murderer. This eleven year old sleuth will have you laughing out loud, wishing to know her better and sad when the last page is read.

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston

A novel in pictures. Ms. Preston uses vintage memorabilia cut outs to tell a story about a woman in the 1920's. This easy read book is fun, different and will have you turning the pages quickly to see what Frankie will get herself into next.

That's it for my 2011 Book Reports

I read 58 books this year

AND

now, that I was given a Kindle for my birthday, I'll have to see if I read more or fewer books for 2012. I've noticed since I started Attic Whispers and writing myself,  I've read fewer books.  I should (if I believed in the word should) be reading more to see how the craft is done by the experts.  

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It's Fun

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and One for a little of this and a little of that