[Reporter's notebook, black leatherette cover, 5 by 3 inches. T. McCausland's hand throughout, in a compressed personal shorthand. Selected pages reproduced in full; struck-through lines preserved as struck. Undated internally; context places composition in late 1926 or early 1927.]
T. McCausland — Working Notes — Iphigenia / Thorpe / Prohibition
What I have.
Father's log. Fifteen years in a flour tin, nine years on my desk. I have read it until I have it by heart. I know what it says and I know what it means and I cannot print either one without two independent sources because I am a reporter and not a pamphleteer, and because what it says will end careers and I need it to be true in a court as well as in a kitchen.
Timmons's deposition. Not the original — that is sealed with the Coroner's office until 1920 [struck: and is probably gone now — ask Fairfax's widow]. Copy in the Clarion morgue, drawer 7, filed 9 January 1913 per a note in the late Mr. Dannemeyer's hand. Miss Pellman showed me. I have read it. John Timmons is in San Francisco if he is anywhere.
Dannemeyer's notes. Pages 43 to 50 of his reporter's notebook, the 1912-13 volume. He left it to Miss Pellman when he went to Chicago in 1917. She put it in the cabinet. I have been the only other person to read it since.
Ostermann's file. He has kept one since 1912. I know this because he told me so in 1921, at Maeve's kitchen table, when I was twenty-seven and he thought I was not ready. He said: When you are ready I will know and I will find you. I think I am ready. I think he has found me.
The pension ledger entry. Louisa Frye — Mrs. Thompson now, Buffalo — at twice the standard rate, personally set by Edmund Hume, November 1921. She left because of what she heard on a switchboard in July 1920. I have her letter to Miss Pellman. She says she will deny it if asked directly. I believe her and I do not blame her.
What I do not have.
Reddick's papers. He retired in 1924. His files went to his son. His son is a decent man and will not speak to me and I do not think he has read what is in them.
The Calder carbons. Mrs. Calder typed for Reddick & Son for twenty years and kept carbons. Miss Pellman tells me she still has them. I have written twice. No answer.
The Company's internal report on the grounding. Dannemeyer tried in 1913. I tried in 1919. In 1923 again, on pretext of the ten-year retrospective. The report does not exist in any filing I can locate. Either it was destroyed or it was never written down in a form anyone would file.
Timmons himself. San Francisco is a large city.
What I need to print.
Two sources for the captain's condition. Father's log — one. Timmons's deposition in the morgue — one and a half, it was never formally admitted. Ostermann says he will speak. If Ostermann speaks, and if I can locate one other surviving crew member who will go on record, I have the story.
The Thorpe matter I have been able to print for three years. The reason I have not is that Ottilie is still alive and Julian is still in the Crescent and I have been — [struck: afraid] — careful. Dr. Linden retired last year to his sister's in Niagara Falls. I have his address.
The Prohibition story I will not print. Not because I cannot but because three of the men in it are still operating and I am a reporter not a coroner.
The question Miss Harriss asked me last Tuesday.
She said: Thomas. What are you waiting for?
I said: I am waiting until I am certain.
She said: You have been certain for four years. What are you waiting for.
I did not answer. She said: Come back when you are ready. The cabinet will still be there.
I think I am ready.
T.McC.