The Sadness of History

As fragments of people's stories come together from archival fragments, I sometimes find they didn't end how I wish they had:

1890
We note with pleasure the arrival of Comrade Evans, accompanied by his daughter Aggie, and Comrade Weaver, from San Francisco. They arrived on the 3rd of April, in good health and spirits and will hereafter make their home with us. (Kaweah Commonwealth 1(12), April 5, 1890)

1892
Aggie, Cartwight, Miss H. + myself went in swimming at the ford. Water cold. (Burnette Haskell's journal, Arcady, CA, Friday April 8, 1892)

1896
“Nance-Evans Nuptials: Miss Agnes W. Evans of King City and Mr. Hugh J. Nance of San Lucas were married in the Episcopal Church at the former place Thanksgiving day, Rev. Mr. Hoge officiating. The church was beautifully decorated with evergreens, holly berries and different varieties of flowers. The bridal party entered the church in the following order: Firs., Messrs. W.C. Hamilton and M.J. O’Brien, ushers, the bride leaning on the arm of her father, the bride’s attendants, Miss E.L. Purdy and Mrs. E.C. Harrison, the bride’s sister… The bride was attired in a dress of cream colored silk, trimmed with pearls of old maltese lace; she wore a veil of nun’s veiling fastened with a spray of orange blossoms, in her hand she carried a bunch of “bride’s” roses. The bridesmaids wore dresses of white Swiss trimmed with red ribbons and carried bunches of hollyberries…” (Salinas Daily Journal, Nov. 28, 1896)

1897
“Nance – In San Lucas, Monterey county, Cal., November 27, Mrs. H.J. Nance (nee Agnes Webb Evans), beloved wife of H.J. Nance, beloved daughter of Aaron Evans of King City and sister of Mrs. Jennie Harrison and Mrs. Clara Dexter, aged 22 years 1 month and 19 days. ** Services will be held to-day (Monday), at 2 o’clock p.m., at Odd Fellows’ Hall, Seventh and Market streets. Interment, I.O.O.F. Cemetery, San Francisco.” (unattributed obituary clipping from Anna H. Haskell diaries)