.

Mabel Waugh Sanders traveled by train from New York to San Francisco to visit her close friend, Katherine McColl.

Mabel was accompanied by her grandmother, Mrs. Waugh. They stayed at the Hotel Princeton.

.

Princceton University, Class of 1901

Walter Howell was Katherine’s brother and still an eligible bachelor.

Katherine had introduced Mabel previously to her brother so it is most likely Mabel made the trip west to get to know him better.

Walter was staying at Katherine’s house when the earthquake occurred.

Donald McColl Katherine Howell McColl

The McColls

Murdoch HowellSalome Howell

First Letter

Survivors

Starting over

Katherine and Donald were unable to launch the insurance agency following the earthquake. They returned to the east coast where he became a Presbyterian minister.

Four years later, Walter and Mabel were married. Walter joined his father, uncle, and brother at the Bradstreet Credit Company in New York City, which later became Dun & Bradstreet.

Walterand Mabel

Booth Bay Harbor, Maine

Standing with Pop Howell and Standing with Pop Howell and DadDad

Bethesda, Maryland,1952