I picked up Hazel Baker's diary for 1905-1906 the other day while moving the contents of one archival box to another and started glancing through the entries.
This is one of many diaries and journals in the Lucas County Historical Society collection and was carefully maintained by Hazel, starting when she was 15 going on 16. The entries span her move with parents and sisters from Chariton to Santa Ana, California, where the remainder of her life was spent.
Much later in the 20th century, long after Hazel's death, the diary was left behind in California with other family memorabilia when the step-granddaughter into whose hands it had fallen moved to New Zealand.
The friend tasked with evaluating and dispersing the material left in her care read the diary, made the connection with Lucas County --- and returned it to the place where it was begun.
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Hazel, among other things, was a niece of Dan M. Baker, pioneering newspaper editor in both Chariton and Santa Ana, about whom I've written extensively. She had her uncle's gift for words; the entries are well-written --- and revealing.
Her parents, Eugene S. and Mary (Campbell) Baker, were affluent people. He was a real estate speculator and landlord with retail business interests in both Chariton and Lacona. Born in Chariton during September of 1889, Hazel had an older sister, Marvel, and a younger sister, Frances.
Hazel still was attending high school when the move to California was made and there seems to have been no particular reason for it. Many other members of the extended Baker family already had moved there, however, the Eugene Bakers had visited many times and liked it.
Santa Ana, the seat of Orange County and now densely populated and identified as part of greater Los Angeles, at that time was a pleasant, largely rural place just 10 miles from the Pacific coast. It had drawn, along with nearby Garden Grove, many former Lucas Countyans, including several relatives of mine.
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Hazel's diary ends with entries for 1906 even though quite a few blank pages remain --- but the last page of the little volume is filled with a tribute to Carl Van Dyke, just 15 when he died on April 2, 1905 --- a month older that Hazel --- and obviously a special friend. Most likely the entry was written just after Carl's death and I found it quite moving. Here's the text:
ABOUT CARL VAN DYKE
Hazel Baker
Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa
Carl Van Dyke took sick Jan. 22, 1905; was awfully sick with appendicitis, but finally got well. Even went to a dance --- took Marie.
Went to Chicago March 27, was operated upon and was getting along nicely when all at once he died; nobody knows how or anything about it. He died April 2nd, 1905, Sunday morning between 4 and 5 in the a.m.
We girls got some beautiful flowers; funeral was at the house.
Marie Bown has his opal ring, which he gave her to wear. She still has it but is going to give it to Ralph Van Dyke (Carl's brother). The funeral was Tuesday, April 4, 1905.
He would have been sixteen in August 1905. He was the dearest and nicest boy I ever went with. He was a favorite with most everyone. (signed) Hazel Baker.
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Carl was the second son of Byron R. and Ella (Gardner) Van Dyke, who had purchased Chariton's Bates House hotel in 1887 and still were operating it as a first-class hostelry when their young son died.
Carl's obituary, published in The Chariton Leader of April 6, 1905, fills in some of the gaps left in the tribute of his friend:
With heartfelt sorrow, the Leader records the sad death of Carl Van Dyke, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. B.R. Van Dyke, which occurred at Mercy Hospital in Chicago on Sunday morning, April 2, 1905, at 5:30 o'clock, as the result of an operation which he had undergone for appendicitis.
Two years ago last Christmas he suffered an attack of this malady, but apparently recovered. On January 19th of this year he was again taken ill with the same complaint and for some time was in a dangerous condition. For the past few weeks he had been able to be about but his system was very weak. The physicians stated that a third attack would probably prove fatal and it was deemed advisable to take him to Chicago.
On Wednesday noon of last week, accompanied by his father and brother, Ralph, he left for that city. On Saturday morning he submitted to an operation and it was thought that he would get along all right, although it was found that there were other troubles which would retard his recovery, but early Sunday morning there was a change for the worse and he sank rapidly until his death occurred.
The remains were brought to Chariton Sunday night on No. 1 and taken to the family home where funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Dr. D.C. Franklin of the M.E. Church. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, tender messages of love and sympathy. At the conclusion of the services an unusually large concourse of sorrowing friends followed the remains to their last resting place in the Chariton Cemetery.
Carl Van Dyke, son of B.R. and Ella Van Dyke, was born in this city on August 9, 1889. He has always lived here and by his bright, manly countenance and pleasant manners won the admiration and regard of all with whom he came in contact. He has been taken away just as he was stepping over the threshold into young manhood and the funeral on Tuesday was pathetic beyond expression. All felt that a loss had been sustained for which there is no compensation. May time bring its resignation, and may the shores of eternity that receive his soul surround it with everlasting sunshine and flowers.
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