Marcus zoomed in on Rose’s face at 1,600% magnification. The details were devastating. The child’s eyes, which had appeared merely unfocused at normal viewing, were now clearly visible as clouded. The corneas had begun to develop the milky opacity that occurs hours after death. Her slightly open mouth revealed the tip of her tongue, which had a darkened, desiccated appearanced
Most heartbreaking of all was the makeup. At this magnificationf,
Helen could see that someone had carefully applied powder and rouge to Rose’s face to give her cheeks artificial colork. Someone had positioned her carefully to hide the worst signs of death. Someone had gone to extraordinary lengths to make her look alive.
Marcus then zoomed in on Lily’s face. Tears, barely visible at normal resolution, were unmistakable at this magnification. Lily had been crying when the photograph was taken. Her eyes were red-rimmed. Tear tracks were visible on her cheeks beneath the powder she too was wearing. There was something else as well, something written on the mounting board beneath the photograph, so faint it was invisible without digital enhancement. Marcus adjusted the contrast and sharpening. Words appeared, written in pencil in a child’s handwriting: “I promised Mama I would hold her hand forever. I kept my promise. June 12, 1895.”
Helen immediately began searching historical records for the Davies family. Finding information from 1895 was challenging, but the Boston Historical Society had extensive archives and connections to genealogical databases. Within 2 days, Helen had found them. The Davies family had lived in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. The father, Robert Davies, was a successful textile merchant. The mother, Eleanor Davies, came from old Boston money. They had 2 daughters, Lily, born March 1884, and Rose, born September 1888.
Rose Davies died on June 3, 1895, at age 6 years and 9 months. Cause of death: scarlet fever. Lily Davies died 7 days later on June 10, 1895, at age 11 years and 3 months. Cause of death: also scarlet fever. The photograph was dated June 1895, which meant it had been taken sometime between Rose’s death on June 3 and Lily’s death on June 10. Helen found the death certificates in the Massachusetts State Archives. Both girls were buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery on June 11, 1895, in the family plot. A joint funeral service was held at Trinity Church.
But there was something odd about the burial records. The notation for Rose’s burial said, “Delayed interment due to family circumstances. Body held at family residence June 3 to 10.” Rose’s body had been kept at home for 7 days before burial, in June, in Boston, where temperatures that week, according to weather records, had reached the mid-80s.
Helen found a newspaper article from the Boston Globe, dated June 12, 1895: “Tragedy strikes Davies family, both daughters lost to scarlet fever.” The prominent Beacon Hill family of Robert and Eleanor Davies mourned the devastating loss of both their daughters within the span of 1 week. Rose Davies, age 6, had succumbed to scarlet fever on June 3. Her sister Lily, age 11, had fallen ill shortly after and passed away on June 10. Sources close to the family reported that Lily had refused to leave her sister’s side during her illness and had insisted on remaining with her even after Rose’s passing. The double funeral had been held the previous day at Trinity Church. Mrs. Davies was said to be prostrate with grief and under a doctor’s care.
Helen cross-referenced this with city records and found something else. On June 8, 1895, a physician named Dr. Samuel Morrison had been summoned to the Davies household by neighbors who reported concerning circumstances. Dr. Morrison’s report, filed with the city health department, stated: “Responded to 44 Beacon Street regarding welfare concerns. Found surviving child Lily Davies, age 11, refusing to be separated from deceased sister’s body. Child stated she had promised Mama to stay with her sister. Mother and father are both ill with grief and fever. Father recovering from scarlet fever himself. Mother in state of nervous collapse. Child has been sleeping beside deceased sister’s body for 5 days. Despite health concerns, family refused to allow immediate burial. Recommended urgent intervention.”
But no intervention had occurred. Rose’s body remained in the house for 2 more days. At some point during that week, someone had arranged for a photographer to come to the house. Someone had posed the 2 girls together in the garden, had dressed them in matching white dresses, had positioned them holding hands, had told Lily to look at the camera and try not to cry. Someone had created a photograph that showed both Davies daughters together 1 final time, as if both were still alive.
Helen’s research led her to the archives of the Boston Photographers Guild, where she found records of active photographers in 1895. One name appeared in connection with the Davies family: Thomas Blackwell, a photographer who specialized in memorial portraits. His business ledger, preserved in the society’s collection, contained an entry dated June 7, 1895: “Davies Residence, 44 Beacon Street. Memorial portrait. 2 subjects. Special arrangements. Payment $50.”
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