Chapter 48 - New Life, Coca-Cola, and Olympic Dreams - the Kincade Legacy Continues!

September 15, 1893

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kincade, Attorneys at Law,

I hope this letter finds you both well. John and I have been plenty busy with our newest young one, John Jr. We smile thinking about how he isn’t much older than the newest baby in the news, First Lady Frances Cleveland’s daughter Esther, born on September 9. Being close to the age of the President’s baby will be quite fun to reflect on over the years. It almost feels like a sign that a president will come from our family’s lineage someday. Maybe we should ask Chadlynn, as she has quite the gift of foreseeing things to come.

Poor Harry struggles with getting along with his classmates. He complains about how his need for his spectacles alienates him, and he often speaks of common discomfort around the girls in his class. On a brighter note, He has shown a great love for reading and writing in his studies, and he talks of becoming a soldier when he grows up, showing admiration for the exploits he has heard from long ago about Chadwick and James. Personally, I hope to see him follow in Randolph’s footsteps and become a pianist. Maybe he and young Rosie could collaborate.

Congratulations again on your marriage, and your law firm you have opened together in Virginia. I look forward to hearing about your successes and adventures soon.

Love,

Cora

*****

Virginia. January 10, 1894

Charles felt his love’s hand on his shoulder. He put down his pen and looked up at her with the same loving eyes that won her over sometime after his foot in the mouth moment back in New York City three years ago.

“Another letter to family, darling?” Kate asked affectionately.

“Indeed.” Charles replied with a grin. “This family tradition of exchanging letters has been taking place for almost a hundred years. I hope the next generation in our family line keeps it going. I even have a few letters saved that were written by family members that are no longer with us, as do my brother and cousins too. It would be amazing to have all of those letters together someday as a keepsake.”

“That would be incredible.” Kate responded thoughtfully. “So what are you writing about in this latest piece of family literature?”

“How proud of you I am, my love. How well things are going at our firm, thanks to your accomplishments especially. I also wrote about the first motion picture to gain a copyright three days ago. The one about the man named Fred Ott that sneezed. It may sound silly celebrating a motion picture about a sneeze, but imagine the content we could view later. Exciting times indeed!”

“Sure darling, but as much as I love moving pictures, I have some news that may be more interesting than a sneezing man. Since you speak of generations, I would like to tell you another contribution you are making to the future of your family, besides this letter you are authoring.”

Charles gazed at his wife in wonder, curious of the news he was about to receive.

“Mr. Kincade, I am pregnant. You sir, are going to be a father.”

Charles gave a joyful cry and offered Kate a deep embrace. His letter would definitely include this news, news that would be captured forever in the ink he was using. But first, he wanted to soak in this beautiful moment of his life, and make it last as long as he could. No writing could do justice to how he felt right now....

*****

New Orleans. March 12, 1894

Arthur returned home with a big smile on his face and a treat for his family. Originally only sold as a fountain drink, Coca-Cola had become available for purchase in bottles for the first time. Rosie finished the song she was playing on the piano before excitedly accepting a bottle. Owen ran over while holding a copy of the short story collection “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,” with James and Diana close behind. The three gleefully accepted bottles of their own. Artemis pouted when Arthur wouldn’t give her a bottle, but lightened up when her father gave her a sip from his own. Fiona approached last, laughing at the excitement from her husband and children over the beverages.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, giving the children this much sugar?” Fiona teased. “You will have to handle settling them down now, are you up to the task?”

“My love, we come from a long line of people involved in history. And with this being the first time this drink is available in this way, who am I to turn down a opportunity to be a part of history?”

“When you’re right, you’re right.” Fiona chuckled, embracing her husband before accepting the Coca-Cola he had brought back for her.

*****

June 26, 1894

Olympic Games Revived

The first Olympic Congress was formed on June 23, 1894 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Previously banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I, the games that played a major part of ancient Greece are returning. Seventy nine delegates from nine countries have agreed to Coubertin’s idea to revive the Olympics, with the first games planned for 1896 in Athens, Greece.

*****

Jeremy finished reading the newspaper clipping that his manager gave him, then looked at Joe Holyfield thoughtfully.

“This is interesting news and all, but why are you going out of your way to show me this?”

“Well Jeremy, now that you have left the Pinkerton agency and made boxing your livelihood, I wanted to suggest an activity that you should take up.” Joe replied coolly. “I think you should add weightlifting to your training routine.”

“That would certainly boost my strength.” Jeremy replied. “But what does this have to do with the return of the Olympics?”

“Weightlifting events are planned for the games.” Joe answered excitedly. “Now it is a big what if, but what if you became good enough at weights to compete in a worldwide event? Even if the best case scenario is that your work in the ring improves, this is a big opportunity you shouldn’t dismiss. Just think it over my friend, and I will work with you on this too.”

Virginia, October 25, 1894

Azalea held baby Hope in her arms, enjoying the newest member of the Kincade family from Charles and Kate. Jeremy had just arrived to visit as well, and walked towards the woman he called Ma.

“My favorite boxer, Jabbin’ Jerry!” Azalea said enthusiastically. “Congratulations on your winning streak!”

“Thanks Ma.” Jeremy said sheepishly. “I’m still amazed that you weren’t upset about me taking up this sport.”

“I’m not completely in love with the thought of you doing something dangerous, but you aren’t the first Kincade man to do so. You come from a long line of strong men that fight for their convictions. Surely you remember the story about your grandfather Chadwick besting that Indian Big Warrior in a fist fight, and how they wound up becoming friends. And then Big Warrior’s son Blue Snake and your uncle James meeting and sharing a history together.”

“Yes, those are tales that will help us never forget the men that came before us.” Jeremy said proudly. “I will try and live out that legacy as well. In fact, I may have another opportunity that started from my boxing. I had taken up weightlifting, and Ma, I am getting recognized for it. I am not only training to be stronger as Jabbin’ Jerry, but I am aiming for a chance to compete in the Olympic games in a couple of years. Could you imagine Ma, the Kincade name being represented in a worldwide event?”

“What I’ve learned from my years in this family, is that we can accomplish anything we work hard for.” Azalea said with a smile, then looking lovingly at the baby in her arms. “Don’t ever forget that little Hope.”

Manhattan, NY. November 6, 1895

Dear Aunt Azalea,

I hope this letter finds you well. Two days ago I played with the New York Symphony under conductor Walter Damrosch in Carnegie Hall. We played works from Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt. Ignace Jan Paderewski played a piano solo that moved me, and he was even kind enough to give me some pointers for my own playing after the performance. Frank is still enjoying traveling with me on tour, and has even taken up a new venture. Frank has begun participating in target shooting tournaments in any tour areas that they occur in, and he is building a name for himself around the country. This seems to have been a good outlet for him besides the music, and I think he may have conquered the demons within him. We will be by to visit soon, we can not wait to see you and meet Charles’s wife Kate and their daughter Hope. Take care always, you are never far from our thoughts.

Love,

Randolph

*****

Wyoming. May 12, 1895

Chadlynn laid in bed next to her sleeping husband. Vivian and Violet were just put to bed, happily exhausted from their prior guest. Buffalo Bill Cody had visited that day, raving about the legend that her mother was, and telling her how proud Etta was of the life her daughter had built in Wyoming with her family. He also talked about his goals of establishing a town of his own in their state. Chadlynn thought about how she hoped he would succeed as she nodded off to sleep.

Chadlynn dreamed of being in a stadium in Athens. Frank and Jeremy were there too. Both wore gold medals around their necks. Frank was being praised for his shooting skills, and Jeremy was being celebrated for his weight lifting talents. Back in Wyoming, a sleeping Chadlynn smiled, pleased to have a vision that she hoped would come true.