Art in the Family: Harrison S. Wands

This seems like an appropriate time to honor my grand uncle Harrison Sherwood Wands, who died during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. He was 27 years old.

He was working at the Hog Island naval shipyard in Chester, PA as a carpenter. Uncle Harry S. Campbell, shared the story of Harry's death:

"There is a Wands story about Harry Wands' passing which I probably told you. I will tell you again.

When the family got the news, someone had to go down to Chester to bring the body home to Collamer. I suspect it was Than Pierce, Katie Wands Pierce's husband. (Katie would be your great Aunt.) Harry had been living in a rooming house. Than tells the story. "I found the house and as I walked up there was a man standing out front, looking up and down the street. He said 'I had decided that if no one came for this young man, I would see him buried in my own cemetery plot'".

Harry was then buried in Collamer Cemetery."

Harry died on October 2, 1918, his own father William Henry Harrison Wands, had died from the flu 7 months earlier in Collamer, NY on March 26, 1918 at the age of 78. Reading Harry's diary it looks like he had gone home to Collamer take care of his late father's affairs. In his diary of March 30, 1918, he notes paying a "Mr. Hawthorne $10.00 and $4.00 for the grave. Also paid Mrs. Rodgers for nursing, $12.00 and employed Mr. A. Mead, lawyer to look after our interests. March 29 - gave Mr. Mead all the papers relating to the case". I do not know what the "case" would have been. By June he appears to be back in the Philadelphia area, and his notes all seem to be mostly about carpentry and related calculations. I do see one entry of the address of the Engineer's Club at 1317 Spruce Street, Phila. Pa. followed by notes of two books, the Manheim and Duplex slide rule manual, and the Machinery's Book on Logarithims. Perhaps Harry had dreams of furthering his education and becoming an engineer.

Moon tells of sibling rivalry with her brother when she was young,

"Harry and I had a great more trouble than you and Harrison ever did. He was always teasing me – seemed to me very mean. Reports are that I was an inoffensive child when small. We outgrew this and became very fond of each other and I now believe I know the reason – besides his having been such a pet before I arrived – Well, when I was 2 and he was 6, or maybe much less he went upstairs in the barn and I followed. There was a hole there where hay was thrown down to the horses, and hay about the edges somewhat concealing them. I remember seeing Tabby, our 3 colored cat daintily approaching, and look down with such interest that I went to look, too. That is all I remember, and was all grown up before I heard the rest. I fell thru. Harry’s little face was seen looking thru the hole and protesting that he didn’t even know I was up there. But my father, on the theory that he should have been looking after me, gave him a real thrashing. My mother had not wanted him punished, and I don’t think he should have, either. Thereafter, he must have felt a great deal of resentment, which was pretty evident – also our mother’s favoritism for him was strengthened, naturally. She would very seldom reproach him, no matter what.

She also tells of a close call Harry had as a youngster;

"Your Uncle Harry, at a very early age, had a narrow squeak – on an exceptionally hot day he got lost in a field of wheat and “nearly had a sunstroke”. The hunt had been on for some time before one of the men noticed the movement in the grain."

As can be seen in the above photo, and the postcards below, they outgrew the rivalry and became extremely fond of each other.

These postcards were written in 1917. Harry was sightseeing on the East Coast, and looking for a job, which he found at that naval shipyard in 1917.


LAKE AND BOAT HOUSE, CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK CITY Central Park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the world. In it are a number of lakes and lagoons where boats are kept and may be rented by the Public. The park is crowded with visitors during the summer months and thousands enjoy themselves in the row boats.

August 31, 1917 postmark New York, NY Station G
Dear Mother, I have gotten over my indigestion and am as hungry as a bear.
With love, Harry
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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK CITY Columbia university occupies an area of 26 acres from Broadway to Amsterdam Avenue West, and 114th to 130th Streets. Was originally founded as Kings College in 1754 at Broadway and Barclay Streets. Moved in 1857 to Madison Avenue and 19th Street, new buildings on present site were erected between 1892 and 1902 at cost of $13,000,000. Endowment $29,000,000.

August 31, 1917
Dear Sis,
I hope you received the film and camera I took it to the store on the west side of the street. Harry

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BATHING AT BRIGHTON BEACH, N.Y.. Coney Island is probably the greatest Bathing Resort in the world, being easily accessible to the enormous population of crowded New York. During summer months the beach is crowded with bathers from the congested East side district all eager to seek relief from the oppressive heat in the cool surf. Thousands of bathers camp on the beach during the summer nights.

August 31, 1917

Hello Sis,

Am here, swell, and having a fine time. Harry

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STEEPLECHASE PARK, CONEY ISLAND Steeplechase park, Coney Island is one of the largest amusement enterprises in Coney Island. It contains a large swimming pool, numerous amusement devices, and other concessions covering several acres of ground and is one of the most popular spots in this great resort.

August 31, 1917
Dear Mother
Am having an outing at Coney Island. Feeling fine. Harry
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WASHINGTON ARCH, NEW YORK CITY

Washington Arch is located at 5th Avenue and Washington Square. It was completed in 1803, is a white marble structure built at the cost of $250,000.00. The memorial to the memory of George Washington, was donated mainly by the subscriptions from residents of New York City.

August 31, 1917 postmarked New York, N.Y. Sta. G
Dear Father,
I am having a very busy time sightseeing.
With Best Regards, Harry
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SINGER BUILDING AND PART OF FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NEW YORK CITY Singer Building, located on the corner of Broadway and Liberty Streets is 47 stories high rising to a total height of 612 feet. In it are 5,000 tenants, who are carried to their offices by 16 Otis elevators. The foundations consists of 30 caissons sunk to bedrock 92 feet below the surface. Built by the Singer Mfg., Co

Sept. 5, 1917
Phila. Pa
Dear Sis,
Am feeling fine. Job hunting tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Harry
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Oct. 15, 1917 postmarked Philadelphia, PA Penn Square Sta.
Dear Mother,
Have been on a trip on the mountains. Nice trip this time of year. Best love to all, Harry

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CHALFONTE HOTEL AT NIGHT, ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

Oct. 21, 1917 postmarked Atlantic City, N.J.
Dear Father,
Am on a trip to the Ocean today. It is too cold to be enjoyable. I like Phila. very much.
Best love, Harry
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ELEVATED R.R. CURVE AT 110TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY Elevated Railway Curve at 110th Street at this point the elevation is higher than in any other part of the city, reaching a height equal to five stories and requiring elevators at the station to take up and down passengers. New York City is famous for its elevated Railroads, this is one of the most noted sections.

Postmarked Darby, PA

Dear Mother,

I have moved. 1029 Main St. Darby, Pa. Mrs. McCaskey

P.S. I am well

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Nov. 7, 1917 postmarked Darby, PA.
Dear Father,
How are you. Have seen and heard a great deal about Washington today. Harry

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Hotel Astor on Broadway between 44th and 45th Street facing Times Square, was built by William Waldorf Astor in 1904, cost $7,000,000 enlarged and remodeled in 1909 additional cost$3,000,000. Has 900 suites with baths, magnificent banquet hall seating 1200. the exquisite restaurant located on the main floor is famous throughout the entire continent.

Nov. 22, 1917 postmarked Darby, PA

Dear Mother,
If I can get off a couple of days I will be home on a visit. Thanks - I will write and tell you later. Went to work in a shipyard. I like it. Harry
P.S. got your letter today

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