Eliza's Work

After two years at Oberlin College from 1873 to 1875, Eliza started writing for newspapers, covering society events, like parties and lectures. She was in papers, too, attending weddings and dinners.  The picture below, from the 1870's, shows "Newspaper Row," Washington, D.C., where the newspapers had their offices. Soon, Eliza combined traveling with writing for the papers.



 

    

In May of 1876 the biggest news story of the day was the opening of the huge Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia. Who was writing the front page story of the nation's first world's fair?  Nineteen year old Eliza! Read her lively report of the rainy opening day, pictured above, here.  (It's on the left hand column and she goes by just her middle name "Ruhamah.")