Much Like The Layers Of An Onion.....

The research into the life and experiences of Marian Louise Baker and her untimely death have led to paths I never imagined or contemplated before. I've been helped enormously by some new friends and acquaintances as well as family members and those who were close to not only Marian but to Gibbs as well.
I find myself dumbfounded lately that even after all the 'work' I've done over the years, there are still so many things to investigate, so many facts that I either didn't focus on before or that have just risen to the top for me to find.
To tell Marian's story, which is so much more than the horrible story of her death, I have to literally go back to those days. I have to reconstruct, as best I can, the times, the places and the essence of those years. I will confess that I am very comfortable with 'those times'. I feel a tether to those days for some reason.
It certainly makes the research harder than I imagined, but at the same time, the help I've been given, the gracious assistance, time and effort shared with me is awe-inspiring. There will be many, many people to thank once Marian's story is complete; as complete as it can be without Marian to tell it herself.
I guess that's what I sense most of all.
Marian isn't here to tell her story. And it's such an important story to tell.
Marian was a precious baby, a darling little girl, a caring and giving young woman. She had favorite colors, favorite foods. She had areas in her life where she excelled and areas where she didn't. She had habits and she had dislikes/likes. She was a precious person who was brutally taken in those cold, damp woods that January day. And with that final blow to her head, her story remained only in the hearts and souls of those lucky enough to have known her and loved her.
The media, in book and newspaper, certainly did her no favors. But both are profit driven.
Marian would be an old lady today. She would have married Edgar Rankin. Perhaps had children and would be a loving grandmother today. She was viciously robbed of all chances that day.
But she did live on in those who loved her.
And all these years, they've had to know the truth about her while hearing the innuendo propagated by the book. And the newspapers.
It's important the the truth about her be told and be committed to history.
Finally.

I'm waiting to hear from F&M about the search for the photograph of Marian that hung in the Bursar's office after her death. I pray it's found. I pray harder that Marian's face is smiling down from a wall in an office on the campus as I type.
I also have to thank so many others from F&M who have gone so far above and beyond in helping me with my research.
I have to admit, I felt a bit of trepidation revealing what I wanted and why.
Marian Baker's murder was a dark, dark day in the history of the college. In no way was the college even remotely responsible for what happened. But I do understand a bit of wanting it all to just stay in the past.
That has not been the reaction I've met and I owe F&M a debt of gratitude.
I spent many hours on that campus in my undergrad days and my experience has always been the same: gracious, professional people offering any and all help possible.
I have tried to imagine the campus in 1950.
I have to imagine no more.
This is a map of the F&M campus, circa 1950, from the college catalog of that year.
I couldn't have reconstructed the locations of the various sites and buildings so accurately.