Niagara Falls in 1903 - A Made Up Story
The Postcard & A Story
I don’t want to infringe on anyone’s copyright. Any concerns with the edited image above, please email me.
Update
This post was originally published in August of 2020 as my exercises to better my data analytics skills. I used it in my former blog “All Things Data”. I’ve updated it as of 2022 and am republishing it as an example of my creative writing, this time under my new career path - creative solopreneurship.
A Brief Description of the Postcard
This postcard is “simpler” in the sense that I’m more familiar with the context from my years in central and western New York state. But I once again started by Googling the stamp, which turns out to be a 1 cent Ben Franklin stamp from the very early 1900’s. I then Googled: “Niagara Falls 1903” and was blown away by the fact the falls were “dried” up in 1848, but there is a telegraph implying a similar situation also repeated itself in 1903. This isn’t entirely validated but there’s this photo that tells me something odd definitely went on in 1903 and is worth elaborating on… creatively.
However, for those who witnessed the silencing of the Falls, the experience was an amazing and unforgettable one which would never again be repeated. -Source
These little historical tidbits inspired the story.
If you’re unsure of your Niagara Falls geography, I was too. It’s been many years since I’ve spent time there, but the vastness is out of this world, and if you have the opportunity, you should take part.
Men, women and children romped about, regardless of the possibility that the breaking of the ice jam might submerge them at any moment. - Many momentoes (sic) were taken from spots not likely to be visible again. -Source
My Postcard Inspired Story
Requirements: must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. This story is entirely made up as a creative writing exercise.
“HOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTT COCOA, ONE PENNYYYYYYYYYY."
Every 4 we sell we can get a set of firecrackers. YES. It is so cold. But firecrackers.
I rub my mittened hands together, but we can all be honest… that does no good. Just seemed like the right thing to do. Jimmy stokes the fire and checks the pot. If all goes well today, like yesterday, we will make enough money for SO MANY FIRECRACKERS. We have been saving up for a proper celebration in the spring. Mother and father… clueless. This business is just Jimmy and I.
Here comes another line of travelers, risking their lives crossing the Niagara, but with the weather this winter especially, the ice will hold just fine. We set up in the same spot as yesterday just as real earth greets them again at the banks. With the right mind and cold weather attire, one can really make a buck. I am in a trance, so cold I do not even want to be conscious of how I feel. Hold out a mug, fill it up, hand it off, be sure no one walks away with the mug. If Mother finds one missing we are in for a world of hurt no matter how many pennies we bring home. She is not appreciative of the firecracker savings.
Father would be at the mill probably shouting about flour or something. Mother would be humming to herself preparing food and the house for the evening. Jimmy and I. We are shuddering, snow caking our hats, our noses red, but we have motivation to keep us going.
“HOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTT COCOA, ONE PENNYYYYYYYYYY.”
I turn around with the mug for another refill from Jimmy and am shocked, and dare I say, dismayed, to see Father. And he is BOILING. His face is red. Snow is landing and melting on his bald head. I know we are in for it now. Jimmy looks over his shoulder just in time to stand up and start shouting at father about HOW MANY PENNIES WE ARE COLLECTING. It is very much worth it, he says in a calmer voice. He is so much more composed than I.
But to what end? Father asks, as we have never wanted for anything thanks to his flour mill job.
FIRECRACKERS! we both say in unrehearsed unison. It is so obvious to us and so absurd to him.
Do not let Mother find out. She will never forgive me if you lose a toe to this cold. And with that he turns, shaking his head, stomps off, jumps in the wagon, and we have a co-conspirator. Really, how could he contest our plan? I believe he is proud of our self-starting ambition.
Jimmy and I smile at each other and keep going. A queue has formed. These people need their refreshments.
After two or so more hours, with our pockets full of pennies, weighing down our clothes, we slowly romp home through the woods and piled-high snow. It is good to have pennies. It is better to have FIRECRACKERS!
This story is entirely made up as a creative writing exercise. I am not a historian and while I fact checked things like hot cocoa existing in 1903, in general, this should not be taken as historically accurate. It is meant to be a fun, exercise to get the mind moving and for a more robust fact-checking, it would require more time than designed for this effort. Also - this is protected under the copyright for JA Murphy Designs LLC (2022+), all rights reserved. Originally published under the copyright of JA Murphy Consulting LLC (2020-2022).
Reminder
The Why
Being a data-anything (scientist, engineer, statistician, etc) in the real world requires creativity and problem solving skills. The data isn’t always going to be there, it’s definitely not going to be of the quality you want / need. The business unit isn’t always going to be able to express their exact needs and they’re going to lean on your expertise to help them innovate and integrate into their operations. You’re not always going to have access to nifty software, requiring interesting solutions to get the job done. All of those obstacles require new thoughts, new ideas, and is the art behind the job. As a data-person who neglected her creative side, please, learn from my mistake, and look for your own outlet to work this skill to better your solutions as a data-problem-solver.
Now as a creative, ignoring my data side, this project is even more real and important to me.
The project
My husband and I have been using old vintage postcards we bought off eBay for our birthday greetings. There are a number of them that are filled out and mailed already and, in most cases, decades and decades ago. I’m going to use these postcards to be an inspiration for a short piece. Might be a story or, if you’re unlucky, I’ll try my hand at a haiku or something. The idea here is for me to learn something about the content of the postcard itself, and then tell a story to fit it. I’ll post that writing here and on social media for you all to see. I welcome feedback as that is how we all grow.
Call to Action
What’s your creative project? If you need someone to share it with, consider emailing me! If you’re afraid of being vulnerable, unsure of yourself, and want help building your creative muscle, maybe it’s a journey we can venture on together!
