A 1903 LETTER FROM THE HOTEL DEL CORONADO - Marion Chapman Shartle, Philip Freeland Chapman - Part One

In 2019 I wrote about a 1909 bill from the Hotel Del Coronado that I purchased on ebay.  I thought it would be interesting to see what I could find out about the people connected with the bill and I think it was.  You can judge for yourself:

https://undereverytombstone.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-week-at-hotel-del-coronado-in-1909.html

Recently another vintage item from the Del showed up on ebay.  It was a letter written in March of 1903 by Marion Chapman who was staying at the hotel, to her brother Philip who was back home in Brunswick, Maine recovering from a bout with smallpox.  After reading the parts of the letter that were shown on ebay I thought the letter might make an interesting story for this blog.  So, I purchased it and here is what is says:

Late Friday afternoon

March the 6th 1903

Dear boy Philip –

Sis did enjoy your letter so much – and hopes by this time that the small pox is distinctly better.  Harrison had such a time in Mexico – The fleas – we call them fleas – but they come by night – and we are specimins (sic) – bit him so and poisoned him until he could scarcely see out of his eyes – and were awfully sore.  He is beginning to look like himself now – but it was funny.  I just loved Mexico and had a grand time.  I am afraid I did not do it historically as my boy Philip would have – but I certainly got with the spirit of the place.  You see, the doctor had three friends who live in a real Mexican hacienda

                                     

All built of adobe and only one story – huge big rooms – and always they eat on the porch.  It is so big and roofed.  The walls are so high that we forgot that there is an outside world.  It is delightful and I never expect to have such good things to eat again.  The same old-fashioned way of cooking and fascinating dishes – most of which are carried off with us as presents.  Mexico is much like Cairo and we regret exceedingly that we did not buy more things there – I was so busy doing the social side that I did not get any time for shopping.  

The bull fight was great – I’ll go to another if I could – we cannot look on where the horses are being butchered – it is too horrible.  Now I would not believe that they took the poor beasts out, served them up and sent them back – but it is true.  One would not think that human endurance would go so far.  But when the men fight single handed with the bulls with sometimes not even the cape to protect themselves – it’s good.

We saw Reverti – the second best in the world – and he was one of the finest looking men I ever saw.

I got so excited I nearly threw my huge bunch of violets at him – Then younger Reverti – when the bull was fresh and fierce – took a big pole-like pole vaulting – rushed straight at him – met the bull coming at full speed for him – planted his pole – and went right over the length of his body – it’s a thing seldom attempted – and it was certainly pretty.  Hope you are feeling better.  I wish you could get some kind of a tonic - as the spring is coming and I suspect Dr. Ted will be able to fix you up – He was so sorry not to have realized about the connection so he could have fixed you up but probably you would not care to have lost any more time.  I hope you can read this easily – Mama would send love if here and I send enough to make up  - your big and loving sister                                                                                                            Memi

I have with me all the time the dear card you sent with the carnations.

Here is the actual letter:

Now that we have taken a look at their correspondence, let's see what we can "dig up" about the sender of the letter: Marion Chapman.  Next month we will look further into the recipient of the letter, her brother Philip Chapman.  

Marion Carter Chapman was born June 29, 1876 in Portland, Maine.  She was the eldest child of Charles Jarvis Chapman (1848-1898) and Annie Dow Hinds (1852-1908).  Charles Chapman had been the Mayor of Portland, Maine from 1886-1888.  Charles Chapman and Annie Hinds married September 15, 1875 in Portland.  In addition to Marion and Philip, they had three other children, all sons:  Robert Franklin (1878-1964), Charles Jarvis (1883-1919), and Harrison Carter (1888-1975). 

Marion made her first appearance in the 1880 US Census.  The family is living at 27 Thomas Street in Portland, Maine:

27 Thomas Street, Portland, Maine

The family consisted of Charles J. Chapman (age 32),  wife Annie (28), daughter Marion (3), and son Robert (2).   In addition there were three live-in servants, two "Domestics," and one "Seamstress."  Charles listed his occupation as "Wholesale Merchant."

The 1890 US Census for this area is of course lost, but when we take a look at the 1900 US Census we see that the Chapman family had changed significantly.  First of all, Charles J. Chapman had died - on June 1, 1898, at the age of 50.  Here is his obituary from "Obituaries of Bowdoin College Graduates":

Charles Jarvis Chapman, son of Robert Andrews and Frances (Carter) Chapman, was born 29 January, 1848, at Bethel, He was prepared for college at Gould's Academy and at Gorham Academy. After graduating with honors he went to Minnesota, and was in the employment of the Northern Pacific Railroad for two years. In 1870 he entered upon a brilliant business career in Portland as a member of the flour and grain commission house of Norton, Chapman & Co., of which he was the general manager at the time of his death. In 1890, in company with his two brothers, he established a successful banking house, which has since become the Chapman National Bank.

Mr. Chapman was interested in public affairs; served on the School Board from 1873 to 1875; in the Common Council from 1877 to 1879, and on the Board of Aldermen in 1880 and 1881, acting as its chairman the latter year. In 1886 he was chosen mayor of the city, and was twice re-elected with increased majorities.  His administration of municipal affairs was marked by great business sagacity, and largely through his efforts satisfactory disposition was made of the city's interest in the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad. He was a prominent member of the Williston Church and moderator of the society. His death, the result of Bright's disease, occurred very suddenly, 1 June, 1898.

Mr. Chapman will be remembered by those who knew him as a man of most kindly and sympathetic nature. His business associates were his friends, and they were drawn to him by his cordial and generous fellowship, as well as by his integrity and good judgment. With positiveuess of conviction, he united a conciliatory disposition and manner, and in the caution that comes with maturity there was mingled in him a measure of youthful buoyancy, so that he was at once the agreeable companion and the esteemed counsellor and friend. In all the relations of his life he was steadfast, honorable, and unselfish."

Mr. Chapman married, 15 September, 1875, Annie Dow Hinds, only daughter of Benjamin F. Hinds, who survives with their five children, Miss Marion Carter, Robert Franklin (Bowdoin, 1900), Charles Jarvis, Jr., Philip F., and Harrison C. Chapman. 

Charles J. Chapman was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine.  Here is the Chapman plot:

And here is his tombstone:

 

The 1900 US Census shows the family had relocated - to 375 Spring Street in Portland, Maine:

375 Spring Street, Portland, Maine

  

The family now consisted of Annie Chapman, a 48 year old widow, and her children Robert F. (22), Marion C. (23), Charles J. (17), Philip F. (15), and Harrison C. (11).  They had reduced the number of live-in servants to two.  Mrs. Chapman said she had given birth to five children, and all five were still alive in 1900.  Mrs. Chapman said that she and Marion had no occupation, and that the remaining children were all in school.   She said they owned their home, and they owned it free and clear.  All of the Chapmans, including the servants, could read and write and were fluent in English.

Now we come to the time the letter was written.  Marion Chapman was twenty-six years old, Philip Chapman was eighteen.  It had been announced that Marion would be getting married in October of 1903, so perhaps Marion's trip was a "last fling" before marriage. 

Poor Philip was at home on Spring Street in Portland recovering from smallpox.  Marion was at the Hotel Del Coronado after the side trip she and her brother Harrison took to Mexico where Harrison was eaten alive by "fleas."  In the letter Marion mentions that they have been to a bull fight featuring "Reverti -  the Second Best in the World."  I don't think Marion realized when she said that Reverti was "one of the finest looking men I ever saw," that the great matador "La Reverti" was a woman!  This is from the Indianapolis Star of July 16, 1933: 

  

Marion's wedding, on October 28, 1903 was quite a society event.  Marion married career military officer Samuel Grant Shartle (1871-1952).   But hers was not the only marriage in 1903 for the Chapman family.  On November 5, 1903, Marion and Philip's mother Annie Hinds Chapman married noted attorney Henry Eliot Babcock (1857-1916).  Here's the story from the Boston (MA) Evening  Transcript from November 6, 1903:

The bride was fifty-one; the groom was forty-six.  It was the first marriage for Henry Babcock.  Unfortunately their marriage was not destined to be a long one.  On February 19, 1908, Annie Dow Hinds Chapman Babcock died in Manhattan, New York.  

She was buried next to her first husband in the Chapman family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine:

The tombstone says:

ANNIE DOW HINDS

Wife of

CHARLES J. CHAPMAN

1852 - 1908

Strangely, no mention of her second husband, Henry E. Babcock.

So, what's been going on with Marion since she wrote the letter to Philip in 1903?

As mentioned above, in 1903 Marion was married.  By the time of the 1910 US Census Marion was living in Berlin, Germany, where her husband Capt. Samuel G. Shartle had been appointed the American Military Attache to the German government.  If they participated in the 1910 US Census I was unable to find it.

By the 1920 US Census, Marion and her husband were back in the states.  They were renting a home at 105 Marlboro Street, in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood:

Marion was 43, Samuel was 49.  They also had a live-in maid and butler.  They could both read and write and both spoke English.  Samuel reported that he was an "Officer in the Regular Army" and Marion listed no occupation.  They had no children.

By the 1930 US Census Marion and her husband has moved again - this time they were living on Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.  When the Shartles lived there, the houses were not numbered.  Marion was 53, Samuel said was 56 (He was actually 59).  They owned their home, which they said was worth $25,000.00.  Strangely, they did not have a radio.  Samuel said he was a "Traveling Colonel with the US Army," Marion reported no occupation.  Samuel said he was a veteran of the World War.

By 1935 they had wisely left the cold north and retired to Coral Gables, Florida. 

The 1940 US Census shows them living 711 University Drive in Coral Gables:

711 University Drive, Coral Gables, Florida

They told the census taker they owned the property and it was worth $18,000.00.  (Redfin estimates the property is worth $2.2 million today.)  

Samuel reported that he was 69 years old.  Marion said she was 63.  

Living with them was Marion's brother Robert, a sixty-one year old widower.   

Here is a portrait of Marion from about this time period:

Marion Chapman Shartle

Marion's husband, Colonel Samuel G. Shartle died in Coral Gables on March 6, 1952.  He was 81 years old.  Here is his obituary from the Chambersberg (PA) Public Opinion newspaper from March 7, 1952:

He was buried in the Chapman family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine:

After the Colonel's death, Marion decided to return to Maine where most of her extended family resided and where she had lived for so many years.  Marion Chapman Shartle died in Portland, Maine on May 3, 1963.  She was 86 years old.  She is, of course, buried in the Chapman family plot next to her husband:

After her death, an interesting article about Marion Chapman Shartle appeared in the Bangor (ME) Daily News of May 17, 1963:

Here is a photo of Marion and the Colonel.  You will note that Marion is holding her beloved parrot:

Marion Shartle with the Colonel and Bill the Parrot

Now that we know all about the sender of the 1903 letter from the Hotel Del Coronado, next month we will look further into the recipient, Philip Freeland Chapman.

May Marion Chapman Shartle, Colonel Samuel Grant Shartle and Bill the Parrot, all rest in peace.

THE RESTORATION OF THE ROSEHILL CEMETERY BELL

I have never hesitated in the past to criticize Chicago's Rosehill Cemetery when they did something I did not agree with.  So recently when I encountered something good the cemetery had done, I thought it would only be fair to pass it along to my loyal readers, many of whom love Rosehill as much as I do.

Last week I needed the location of a grave at Rosehill Cemetery so that necessitated my going in to the office.  While dealing with the office staff has not always been a pleasant experience, lately the staff has been very cooperative and even friendly.  A refreshing change.  It was a cool, crisp autumn day in Chicago and many of Rosehill's trees still wore their colorful fall array.  I parked my car and as I walked to the office door I saw this plaque on the wall:

ROSEHILL BELL TOWER

"Rosehill Cemetery gratefully acknowledges the Rosehill Cemetery

 Reserve Fund for its enduring solicitude for the well-being of these

 hallowed grounds.  The Fund's beneficence has led the Rosehill 

bell to become operational once more.  May its ringing

ever honor our dead and comfort those living.  

Dedicated on October 12, 2021 in loving remembrance of 

John A. Bross, a scholar, author, beloved community leader, and 

Trustee of the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund."  

Humbly rings the Rosehill bell, 

Its tender, gentle, somber knell.

Be mindful all who pass these gates, 

'Tis for you and the centuries Rosehill awaits...

Stately stone against time's test

For those whom love has placed at rest.

Solely not it tolls in death.

Nay, it rings their every happy, joy filled breath!

Michael J. Weidman  

Here is the plaque and the bell tower, all part of the Joliet limestone gates designed by William Boyington:

The red arrows point to the plaque and the bell tower itself.

Rosehill Bell, Wheel and Automated Electric Striker

When I went into the office I commented on seeing the plaque and asked about the bell.  They told me it tolls the hour and half hour, and is rung as a funeral procession enters the cemetery.  In the afternoon it also rings the De Profundis, an ancient custom that even predates the ringing of the Angelus:

The tradition of ringing a bell to remind the faithful to pray for the dead is a very ancient custom. Even predating the tradition of the Angelus Bell, the De Profundis Bell was rung to denote a time of the day to recite Psalm 130. The origin of this custom is accredited to Pope Urban II, who promoted the ringing of the De Profundis in order to pray for Christian armies in the Crusade. Later popes would grant indulgences to those who recited the psalm, even if the bell was not rung. This custom was later introduced in 1622 in churches belonging to the Dominican Order, who attribute the origin of this bell to St. Cajetan in 1546.     

Here is Psalm 130:

De profundis. A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God. The sixth penitential psalm.

[1] Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: 

[2] Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 

[3] If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. 

[4] For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word: 

[5] My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

[6] From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 

[7] Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 

[8] And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

The office staff told me this was just the beginning, and that other restoration work would be carried out at Rosehill in the future, which I was glad to hear.

What about John A. Bross, to whom the restored bell is dedicated?  Here is his Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of March 29, 2020:

John and his first wife Louise Smith Bross are buried in her ancestor Solomon Smith's plot, Section 100, Lot #1.  When I first wrote this story in 2021 John's grave had not yet been marked.  As of the Fall of 2023, it has:

It turns out that there are many members of the Bross family interred at Rosehill.  A cenotaph to his famous ancestor Col. John Armstrong Bross, his great-grandfather was erected in Section B:

So, kudos to Rosehill Cemetery and the members of the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund.  I am looking forward to future restoration projects.

May John Adams Bross, Jr. and all the Bross family interred at Rosehill rest in peace.

THE THIRD WIFE OF FRANCIS X. BUSHMAN - Norma Emily Atkin

Longtime readers of this blog will know that I have always been a fan of silent movies and silent movie stars.  Most stars of the silents faded into obscurity as the years went by, although some were able to carve out a second career for themselves either in sound films or in the "new medium" of television.  I was recently watching a rerun of an old Perry Mason episode, and one of the actors in the episode was silent film star Francis X. Bushman (1883-1966).

Francis X. Bushman in 1912

Much has been written about the life and career of Francis X. Bushman.  If you have never heard of him, or don't know that much about him, Wikipedia would probably be a good place to start:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_X._Bushman

If you would rather hold a book in your hands, there is an excellent biography of FXB called King of the Movies: Francis X. Bushman by Lon and Debra Davis (2009, BearManor Media, Albany, Georgia)  Seeing Bushman on television reminded me of the time I visited his crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.  He is interred in the Freedom Mausoleum, Patriots Terrace (lower floor), Corridor of the Patriots, Sanctuary of Gratitude (right/south side wall), Single Mausoleum Crypt #21408:

People of today who are not aware of Bushman, probably have no idea of just how popular he was.  At the peak of his career, Bushman was advertised as "The Handsomest Man in the World".  He was also known as "the King of the Photoplay" or "the King of the Movies".  He is probably best remembered for his role as "Massala" opposite Ramon Novarro in the 1925 silent epic 'Ben Hur'.  But this article is not about Bushman per se, it is about one of the four women who were his wives.  They were:

Josephine Louisa Fladung

1882–1964 (m. 1902)

Beverly Bayne

1893–1982 (m. 1918)

Norma Emily Atkin 

1902–1956 (m. 1932)

Iva Millicent Beeks 

1893–1988 (m. 1956) 

  

For this article I want to concentrate on wife #3, Norma Emily Atkin Bushman.  Let's see what we can "dig up" about her to try to find out what it was like to be married to "The Handsomest Man in the World."

Note:  Norma went by many different names:  Emily Magdeline Atkin, Norma Emily Atkin, and Emma Atkin, to name a few.  Francis X. Bushman called her "Mike" but for this article I'll refer to her as Emma, the name on her tombstone. 

Emma Atkin was born Emily Magdeline Atkin on September 25, 1902 (some sources say November 25) in Bloomington, Utah.  She was the daughter of Heber Charles Atkin (1872-1942) and his second wife Mary Abigail Pearce (1870-1965).  The Atkin family was a large and distinguished family of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the "Mormons").   

Emma's father Heber Atkin had previously married to his second wife Mary's older sister Emily Minerva Pearce (1880-1901) who died in 1901.  With her he had one child, a daughter Emma (1901-1901).  

With his second wife Mary, Heber had six children: Emily M (1902–1996), Owen Woodruff (1904–1966), Nellie (1906–1955), May (1908–1996), Kate (1910–1976), and Inez (1915–1949).   

Before she married to Emma's father, Mary Pearce had been married to John Henry Miller (1870-1899) and had three sons:  William Henry Miller (1894-1965), Raymond Leon Miller (1896-1980) and Ralph Harrison Miller (1898-1905).

I did not find any evidence of plural marriage (polygamy) in Emma's immediate family, but in those days LDS members were not always completely honest with the authorities.  It is a known fact that the Atkin family provided a sanctuary for Elder Willford Woodruff, an Apostle and later President of the Latter Day Saints Church. Wilfred began practicing polygamy in Nauvoo, Illinois before the exodus to the West. When the Federal Government attempted to eradicate polygamy Elder Woodruff was forced into "Underground" or self exile. Between 1885 and 1887 he found sanctuary with the Atkin family. Woodruff frequently used the Atkin family pond for fishing and hunting as well as a hiding place from the Marshals. 

Emma's first "official" appearance was in the 1910 US Census when she was 8 years old.  The Census found the Atkin family living in Bloomington Township, Washington County, Utah.  The family consisted of Heber C. Atkin (37 years old), Mary A. Atkin (39), stepson Raymond (14), daughters Emily (7), and Nellie (4) and son Owen (2).  Heber reported his occupation as "Farmer."  Heber, Mary and the children were all born in Utah.  Everyone in the family spoke English, and the adults could all both read and write.  They owned their farm free and clear.

In the 1920 US Census, eighteen year old Emma was still living at home with her parents and siblings in Washington Township, Washington County, Utah.  The family consisted of Heber (49), Mary (49), son Owen (15), daughters Emily (17) , Nellie (13), May (11), Katie (10), and Inez (4).  Heber was now a "Laborer," in the industry called "Working Out."  He owned his home and there was no mortgage.  Everyone could read and write except for Inez, and the young children were all in school (again, except for Inez.)

How did Emma meet "The King of the Movies?"  She told the story to the Salt Lake City (UT) Tribune in 1951.  

"I had gone down to visit a friend who had a beach house in Santa Monica.  That was 21 years ago (1930).  She mentioned that Bushman the movie star was living in the house next door.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him exercising his huge Great Dane on the sands."

Her first impression?  

"Well, I thought him a darned good looking man and that was all.  Meeting him came about naturally - and the day after he calmly told my younger sister that he intended to marry me - just like that!"

Here is a photo of Emma Atkin Bushman at home with husband Francis X. Bushman, sister Inez Atkin and one of Bushman's magnificent Great Danes:

Left to right: Inez, FXB, Emma, Unnamed Great Dane

In the Davis biography of FXB they related that Emma Atkin had been married before she met Bushman, and that in fact she was recently separated from her husband when she met Bushman but that her husband was refusing to grant her a divorce.   

Emma's relationship with Bushman was no foolish whirlwind romance but circumstances kept it from developing into anything else.  Again, according to Davis, a year later Bushman, in Paris making a film, was in low spirits because he was unable to be with Emma.  One day he received a letter from her stating that her husband had finally agreed to a divorce.  Bushman immediately cabled her to meet him in La Havre, France at once because he couldn't stop work to come after her.  FXB said that once she arrived he would be able to take some time off from filming and thought this would be an ideal time and France the ideal place to get married.  Upon her arrival they went to Paris and were married on a beautiful September day.  Between his film work in France and England they toured the continent.

The Davis biography reported that ten years after they were married in Paris there was some question as to the legality of the marriage.  FXB and Emma were therefore remarried in San Francisco.

I must point out that although I did extensive research on Emma Atkin Bushman, I was unable to find any record of this supposed first marriage.  Members of the LDS Church are outstanding record keepers inasmuch as tracing their ancestry is one of the tenets of their religion.  Emma's "official" family tree record from the LDS Church mentions Francis X. Bushman as her only spouse.  

Emma reported that she and Bushman decided to keep the news about their marriage quiet because his career had been hurt so badly when the news that he had been a married man all along reached the fans of that day.  Emma said "It has worked out very well."

Did it?  

On February 8, 1934 newspapers reported:

As the article mentions, the "engagement" to Ponselle followed an earlier report that Bushman agreed to marry any woman "who could support him in the style to which he would like to become accustomed."

Had Bushman decided to adopt Mormon customs and practice polygamy?  Not a chance.  Emma reported "It was just a joke.  A publicity stunt which Frank did as a favor to a friend who was Miss Ponselle's press agent."

The newspapers reported a week after the announcement that the "engagement" had been called off  "by mutual agreement."

While on this engagement escapade, the Bushmans were staying at the St. Clair Hotel on Ohio Street in Chicago:

For the first decade of their marriage, the Bushmans lived in New York between trips to Europe for acting roles for FXB.  

At the time of the 1940 US Census, Francis and Emma Bushman were living in Europe and did not participate.  

In 1941-1942 the Bushmans built their home at 740 Hartzell Street in Pacific Palisades, California.  The house that currently occupies that spot was built in 1992.

"It was their permanent home, said Emma.  "It's less than a half mile from the beach."  She said it was also near the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Conway.  He is a screen director and she is one of the children of Francis X. Bushman (with his first wife Josephine).  "She's a lovely girl and we're the best of friends," says the present Mrs. Bushman.  "In fact, all his children are wonderful, I think, and also are close to us."  The Davis biography of FXB states that Mr. and Mrs. Conway in fact paid for the house in Pacific Palisades.

"Their Pacific Palisades home is no glittering showplace," she says, "but they live an idyllic life in an artistic small house.   They like to walk, to read and garden-both vegetables and flowers.  They give no cocktail parties and attend none.  The main point is whatever they do they do together.  She usually accompanies him on his business trips.

"I guess we feed thousands of birds a year," she said.  "We buy bird food in 100 lb. bags to feed our wild birds - but we've only one small canary indoors.  We built our home in Pacific Palisades chiefly because it was in the heart of a big bird sanctuary.  Frank has always been fond of pets; at one time he had an aviary with 1,500 birds in it."

In early 1955 Emma checked in to the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. 

The Motion Picture Country House and Hospital

Her health had been deteriorating and her doctors determined that she needed round-the-clock care. 

Emma Bushman died at 10:50 am on February 4, 1956.  She was 53 years old.  The cause of death was "Coronary Thrombosis" with the complicating factors of "Athero Sclerosis and Laennec's Cirrhosis of the Liver."  Here is her Death Certificate:

Her death barely merited a mention in the newspapers.  Here is one from the Los Angeles Times from February 5, 1956:

Here is the Death Notice:

Emma Bushman was buried in the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, Section Q, Lot 111, Grave 2 SW.  Thanks to my Find a Grave friend Bob Marlowe, here are photos of her grave:

The records of Angeles Rosedale Cemetery are available online through Family Search.  Here is the entry from the Interment Register about Emma Bushman:

She was buried February 7, 1956:

  

Unfortunately Emma Bushman is virtually forgotten today.  The Davis biography of FXB was recently made into a documentary and in October of 2021 it was shown on Turner Classic Movies.  The documentary showed one photo of Emma and the coverage of her lasted a mere 8 seconds in a one hour program.  And yet, Francis X. Bushman was married to Emma longer than his three other wives.  He was married to Josephine Fladung for 16 years; to Beverly Bayne for 8 years; and to Iva Beeks for 10 years - however he was married to Emma for 24 years.  According to Emma she was happy to stay in the background as long as Bushman was nearby.  In a 1951 interview, Emma said:  "...we haven't spent more than six days apart since we were married.  I travel everywhere with Frank, and just sit and listen to the things people say about him when they don't know who I am."     

At one point, Francis X. Bushman was asked to give his own version of the secret of this long, unpublicized and peaceful marriage.

"I can tell you in one sentence," he said, "it has been successful because I married her."

Emma Bushman in 1951

May Emma Atkin Bushman rest in peace. 

On August 15, 1956, Francis X. Bushman married Iva Millicent Beeks (1893-1988) in Nevada.  Iva Beeks had been Bushman's next-door neighbor in Pacific Palisades.  

Francis X. Bushman died August 23, 1966 in Pacific Palisades.  He was 83 years old.  As mentioned at the beginning of this article, he is interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn in Glendale.

Iva Millicent Beeks Longshore Richardson Bushman died April 17, 1988 in Pacific Palisades.  She was 94 years old.  She was cremated at the Pomona Cemetery Crematorium.  The final disposition of her remains is unknown.