June 10, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland Before we jump into the next chapter of Emmett’s life, let’s set the scene: In September, 1906, we know that Emmett moved to Pensacola. He moved in with family friends; specifically, the John Kehoe family, at 221 West Cervantes Street in Pensacola. John Kehoe was […]
June 5, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland Knowing what I know about Emmett’s life, it’s ironic (or maybe, a kind-of foreshadowing) that Emmett moved to Pensacola, Florida, on September 26, 1906, merely one day ahead of one of the most devastating hurricanes in history to hit the Florida Panhandle. I suppose he […]
October 10, 2014Pohick, CemeteryFairfax County, Virginia In the midst of writing Emmett’s story, I’m still working different connections (i.e., Emmett’s siblings’ descendants, descendants of Emmett’s friends, and the like) for anything about Wilson immediate family. It’s a great way to keep my research skills sharp, especially when I have dry […]
May 22, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland In early June, 1906, it was probably a tough call for Emmett on what he would do after Nicholas Van Sant had discovered what was actually going on with their law practice. I sincerely doubt Emmett went to rehab, even through the generosity and circumspect-ness […]
May 11, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland Even though I’ve been writing Emmett Wilson’s chapters on and off since I found him back in 2013, and I feel like I know him fairly well, there’s still new things I’m discovering about his story that trickle in now and then. I feel pretty […]
May 9, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland This is a strange Mother’s Day tribute, but stay with me. This is a photo of my Mom, who died in 2009. She and I had, at the very best, a tempestuous relationship. Mostly I was the black sheep; the kid who would was hell […]
April 30, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland If you’ve been following the blog-version story of Emmett Wilson, I broke down his career/life into a series of mulligans, or do-overs. It isn’t my trying to be dismissive of his efforts (after all, all of us, especially in early adulthood, try on different jobs, […]
May 25, 1906Van Sant & WilsonSterling, Illinois4:45 pm There was a knock at my office door. “Come in.” The door opened slightly. Miss Delp stuck her head in. “Mr. Van Sant to see you, Mr. Wilson.“Please show him in.” The door opened wider to admit Nick, who started a bit […]
This application, guys — look at what it does for Emmett’s photo:
May 25, 1906Van Sant & WilsonSterling, Illinois There are black circles under my eyes; a wrinkled red crease impressed on my cheek from my coat. I’d used it as a pillow, wadded up under my head, to sleep on my office sofa. I don’t remember doing that; hell. I don’t […]
