1.
Oct. 24, 2007

My grandmother and grandfather (who worked for Western Electric in Chicago) were scheduled to join others aboard the Eastland on its way to the G.E. picnic...however, they stopped to pick up a little wounded bird and returned home with it...thus, missing the boarding of the ship. My mother told me this about 55 years ago, but I had forgotten all about it until a month ago when my husband and I stopped to pick up a little wounded bird and took it to a nature sanctuary. Upon hearing this, a friend said that for all we knew, stopping to help that little bird might have saved our lives, but that we would never know.

This brought back the story that my mother had told me long ago. I believe there was a list of the passengers who died from drowning, but do you know if there was ever a passenger list of those planning to board the ship? I would certainly appreciate any such information...I have bought a book entitled "The Sinking of the Eastland" by Jay Bonansinga. Do you know of any other books written about this disaster? I would love to share the story of this tragedy with remaining, younger members of our family. I feel if it hadn't been for that little bird, none of our family would be here today! Thank you so very much...

Nancy Bair
Austin, Texas