Yesterday afternoon, I was showing my daughter Crystal these newest photos of Addie, and she was in awe of the fancy outfits and the quality of the professional photography. She said something that really stunned me, and truly summed up the whole of this sad, troubling story.
She said, “This woman was raised to be a cultured, sophisticated, refined member of society; Addie was destined to be someone remarkable, and someone who’d leave her mark on the world. Looking at these photos and her fine clothes, you’d imagine that this woman championed countless altruistic and worthy causes, and then passed on peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101, surrounded by adoring friends and loving family.”
“This is not someone that was you’d ever imagine would end up dead at 29, buried hastily in a shallow grave and then forgotten.”
Addie was born in 1872 to Julia Hawley Hoyt and Homer Hoyt. She's about six months old here. Infant photography in 1872 was pretty rare and probably expensive, too.
Addie at about two years old. Fancy clothes, too.
Adde Hoyt at about eight years of age.
Another fine outfit! Addie was probably about 8 or 9 here.
Lots of flowers for Addie! She was about 14 here.
Close-up of Addie
Addie and her sister, Annie (my great-grandmother). This was taken in 1887, so Addie was 15 years old here.
Addie in 1889. This photo was found in the vertical files at the Fargo Library in Lake Mills. Addie would have been 17 years old here.
Addie and her pony.
Probably a debutante photo. Addie was 21 years old. Note the small star on her forehead. This same necklace reappeared in her wedding photo.
Close-up of Addie in 1894.
Addie in 1894. This would have been the year that her father died. Her mother (Julia Hawley Hoyt) died in early 1895. Her beloved nephew ("Ernie") also died in 1894.
In February 1896, Addie Hoyt married Enoch Fargo in Chicago, IL. She was 24 and he was 46.
Her wedding photo (Feb 1896).
Addie was a beautiful young woman.
The fam sitting in front of the house in Lake Mills, WI. Enoch is at the top, with Addie below him. Enoch's two daughters are Elsie (top right) and Mattie (lower right). Elsie (1876-1959) married a McCammon. Mattie (1883-1956) became Mattie Fargo Raber.
Close-up of Addie with her step-children.
Addie preparing for a trip.
Addie, about 1899.
Five years of life with Enoch took a toll on Addie.
It is hard to believe this is the same woman, but it is, five years after her wedding day.
But the story did not end in 1901. She was exhumed from this shallow grave on Thursday, November 3, 2011. (Photo is copyright 2011, and is courtesy of Heather Lukaszewski and can not be reproduced without written permission.)
Addie's grave is now empty. Ultimately, her remains will be returned to me (her next of kin). Addie's remains will not be returning to Lake Mills.
To learn more about Addie, click here.
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I am struck by how gentle she clearly was. That face is filled with such kindness, what kind of a brute could harm her and then treat her lifeless remains with such indifference? I am heartbroken every time I see these photos. And it is clear to me that such good-natured kindness runs in the women in this family, dear Rosemary.
Thank you so much for sharing these photos! I know one of your blog posts mentioned you thought about writing a book about this, and you could have kept these fabulous photos for the book, so it’s much appreciated that you shared them with us. It almost seems a shame that you are NOT a genealogist, it’s so obvious you have a knack for research beyond that of your Sears homes, and your family definitely has some stories to tell! 🙂
Rose, are there any photos that Addie’s wedding ring can be seen in? Items like that so often end up in estate sales or antique stores. My Grandma years and years ago found a beautiful diamond and platinum engagement ring with the inscription H.L to E.K 1917 and I have always wondered about the bride who wore it, especially when I wear it.
Anyways, it would be great to track down some of Addie’s hats, jewelry, or other items that might still be floating around in the area. Not on the top of the list of Addie mysteries to solve, but neat idea nonetheless. Wouldn’t you just love to wear that beautiful necklace she has on in the “traveling” photo?
If Enoch had loved her, he would have treated her with great respect. It was as if she was disposable, like a piece of property or an object.