Mildred Newell (1890-1914)

Orlando Research Trip
 

April 5, 2006

 

by

 Alec Newell



On a recent trip to Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida, I revisited the graves of my great grandfather, Harry Alexander Newell (Aug. 1862-1940) a music professor, his wife, Gertrude Sweet Newell (July,1862-1947), and their daughter Mildred (!890-1914) who died at the age of 24, just prior to completing an out-of-state (Julliard?) musical education in voice, that was expected to have lead to a promising stage career.  (See obit dated May 4, 1914, Orlando Reporter-Star)

 

Mildred's Grave

 

The day and month dates for the deaths of Harry and Gertrude were not listed on their grave markers, so I didn't have time to look up their obits, but I was able locate Mildred's on micro film in the Orlando library.  A quick spin through archival material of the Reporter-Star helps to put the time of her death into something of a historical time capsule.  It was reported that on May first, 1914, women in Harrisburg, Pa. opposed to women's suffrage, met in their first state convention in a "vigorous campaign against the adoption of the suffrage amendment by the next Legislation." 

That same day, in New York, Upton Sinclair and four women were found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined $3 each, in lieu of a three day jail sentence, for parading in front of the Standard Oil Building posing as,  "'mourners' protesting against John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s  policy in the Colorado mine war…"  two of the women refused to pay the fine and Sinclair immediately launched into a speech before the court, and threatened to go on a hunger strike if jailed.  The judge must have been unimpressed. The article concludes:  "He was promptly locked up."

In that same year Harry and Gertrude would both turn 52, the First World War would break out in Europe, Mildred's older brother, Alex (0ct. 1985-1964), by now 28, would already be married, with children, and Mildred's little cousin, Sidney Newell* would win a blue ribbon at the Orange County Fair for his Guinea Pig collection.

* Sidney was the youngest son of George Rippard Newell, Esq. (Harry's Brother)

Mildred's death notice ran on page one of the May 4, 1914, Edition of the Reporter-Star, and was almost certainly read by all surviving members of the family.  In that same issue, on page six, there was an ad that ran in almost every issue:  ELIJAH HAND FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND EMBALMER all calls answered day or night, Hand Block, Residence Upstairs, ORLANDO-FLA, Phone 639. 

 

 
 According to Bonnie Newell Greaves, the body was shipped back South, to Orlando, by train, but almost certainly Harry and Gertrude Newell, being musicians, and prominent members of the community would have been acquainted with the local undertaker.  Other ads too, take on an evocative quality when you consider the size of Orlando at that time.  The florist, the bicycle repairman, the grocers, and piano sales company, all of whom ran ads in the local paper would have all been known personally by virtually all of the people who read the news.  [For the sake of economy I have attached part of page one (1) only, but if you are interested I can run copies of the whole paper for you.  Examples of the ad copy and prices are a hoot:  i.e.  "$3.10  JACKSONVILLE AND RETURN  via Atlantic Coast Line" or "Get Your Safety Razor Blades Sharpened at The Orlando Pharmacy" etc.