Notes from Ebba Hendrickson (undated and anonymously written) found in the genealogy information of Karen Stephens Swanson:
When her mother Bessie entered the St. Joseph State Hospital in St. Joseph, MO, Ebba, Helen, and Paul entered the orphanage (Home of Little Wanderers) just west and across the field from the hospital. Ebba was 10 years old at the time (appx. 1909).
Ebba was 13 years old when her mother died on September 11, 1912.
Ebba recalled the 3 children walking across the field to watch their mother march with the rest of the patients. Bessie would say, "Now you kids be good." Ebba said they were very good to the children in the orphanage, and she did like it there. The old ladies in the kitchen would let her help them make bread.
Ebba was the only one of the 3 children allowed to attend their mother's funeral. They went by train to St. Joe. (distance from orphanage to funeral home was only 2 miles) Bessie was in a funeral parlor (Heaton) and covered by glass. Ebba says being covered with glass was a common practice.
Ebba went to live with the Bengtson's in Essex, Iowa and stayed with them until her marriage. Paul and Helen left the orphanage also. Paul went to Charles Bengtson and Helen to Victor Bengtson.
1910 census - inmate Home for Little Wanderers North 28th Street. Age 10.
1915 Iowa State Census - Can't locate
1920 census - married to John Elmer Hendrickson
Ebba didn't know if her mother had a middle name and only heard her called Bessie. Peterson was her last name.
Clara Peterson (Bessie's sister) lived in Sioux City, IA but never tried to help the children.
Bessie had 2 sisters who wouldn't have anything to do with her after her marriage to Claus. (Clara and Lina? don't know married names or birth dates)
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