Legacy of the Lost: Uncovering the Eastland's Hidden Stories

Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

Send us a Text Message.

Episode 38 of Flower in the River Podcast is dedicated to Donna Loren and Dr. Adam Gerace from "Love's a Secret Weapon" podcast. It’s not often that you can go on a podcast with a film star and singer that you’ve admired since you were a child--but that happened! Last month, multitalented film icon and vocal powerhouse, Donna Loren and Dr. Adam Gerace invited me to discuss my book on their podcast. I still can't believe this happened but here's the link to "The Ancestors Who Guide Us: Donna and Dr Adam In Conversation with Natalie Zett" - Ep. 75 of "Love's a Secret Weapon."
**Trigger Warning: This week's journey takes us back to 1915's Eastland Disaster, a heart-wrenching event in Chicago's history. As we unfold tales from old newspapers, expect a raw and emotional exploration involving the loss of entire families, including children. Listener discretion is advised for this deeply moving episode.**

Main Discussion: Voices from the Depths of History

• A Family's Tragedy: We begin with Otto Brandt and his sister Mary Braitsch, engulfed in a nightmare where Mary lost her husband and all five children. The story's layers unravel, revealing Mary's life post-tragedy.
• Robert Magnuson's Heartache: From the pages of history, we meet Robert Magnuson, who faced the unimaginable loss of his wife and two children, Robert Jr. and Irene. His journey post-disaster uncovers the resilience of the human spirit.
• The Storytellers of the Tragedy: Step into the shoes of journalist Richard Henry Little and political cartoonist John Tinney McCutcheon. Discover how their words and images shaped public perception of this calamity.
• Behind the Scenes with Natalie: I'll peel back the layers of my research process, revealing how I piece together these poignant character sketches from the fragments of history preserved in records and old newspapers.

Summary: A Tribute to Resilience and Remembrance
This episode was an emotional and challenging endeavor, taking us through the unfiltered corridors of the past. It's a deep dive into the resilience of the human spirit, contrasting past and present perspectives on grief and loss. Join me in this poignant tribute to honor the 844 lives swept away by the Eastland Disaster. Together, we step back in time – to remember, to learn, and to ensure that these stories are never forgotten.
Links

• Love's a Secret Weapon podcast, "The Ancestors Who Guide Us: Donna and Dr Adam In Conversation with Natalie Zett"
• Stories of Robert Magnuson, Mary Braitisch, Richard Henry Little, John T. McCutcheon and more.

Music by Laurel Violet (Artlist)

• Woodland
• At The Start
• Afterwards
• Cold

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.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

Chapters

1. Legacy of the Lost: Uncovering the Eastland's Hidden Stories (00:00:00)

2. Dedication to Donna Loren and Dr. Adam Gerace (00:00:51)

3. Stories of Loss and Grief (00:09:02)

4. Follow-Up on Eastland Disaster Survivors' Stories (00:25:43)

5. A Journalist and a Political Cartoonist respond to the Eastland Disaster (00:32:45)