September 27, 1907306 Brent BuildingPensacola, Florida I’ve done what I’ve been told to do for one year; namely: to keep my head down, to work hard, to follow directions (specifically, of Kehoe, and my Uncle Evelyn Maxwell), to be serious. So far, their advice has paid off handsomely. The directions […]
August 23, 2021Chevy Chase, MD I have a follow-up from my inquiries with experts who research newspaper coverage specific to society sections in the early 20th century. All agree with my theory that Emmett Wilson used the society sections as a way to promote himself, but other people did as […]
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 […]
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 […]
May 24, 1906State Bank of SterlingSterling, Illinois The last bank customer had left over an hour ago; Nicholas Van Sant’s private secretary was straightening his desk and packing his briefcase prior to leaving. Frank came over to his desk. Howard glanced at Nicholas Van Sant’s closed door, turned to Frank, […]
May 18, 1906Sterling State BankSterling, Illinois At 11:45 a.m., Frank Heflebower was climbing the stairs of the Van Sant & Wilson law firm, a little out of breath as he labored under the heavy ledgers. “Good morning, Mr. Heflebower. Thank you for being prompt,” said Miss Delp, who simultaneously stood, […]
