December 13, 1987
By Helen Fagg Mitchell
Vigo County Historical Society
Jewel case’s history leads researcher on mystery chase
I have written several articles describing objects in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, but I had never found myself involved in solving a mystery until I encountered the small jewel case pictured here.
At the beginning of the assignment, all I knew was to whom it had belonged and the name of the donor. But I believed that anything so beautiful and so well-preserved must have been a favorite possession of the owner, especially since she still had it at the time of her death.
The little, silver jewel case, barely 2 inches tall, with its tortoise-shell lid, and velvet lining, came to the museum in 1981. The donor was Roy A. Moore of Washington, Ind.
The information supplied by Moore stated that it had belonged to Rose Fehrenbach Pierce. She and her husband, Edward Pierce had a popular vaudeville singing act during the early years of the century. With the jewel case came several other articles and a note stating that some of Roslyn’s costumes had at one time been on display in the Terre Haute House.
I had never heard the name before, but I was intrigued and curious. So I engaged the help of the Special Collections staff at the Vigo County Public Library. What we found was very interesting.
“Singer Home After Long European Tour” was the title of an article on the front page of the Oct. 23, 1923, issue of the Terre Haute Tribune. Anna Bowles Wiley was the reported. A large picture of Rose and Edward was included.
The couple had come to Terre Haute because of the death of Rose’s mother. They also were to visit with her brothers.
This was her first visit home in eight years and before they went abroad again they were persuaded to give performance at the Hippodrome. “After vociferous applause,” Wiley states, “Rose stepped to the front of the stage and remarked, “After all, there is no place just like Terre Haute.”
Edward’s rich baritone complimented Rose’s beautiful voice as they sand, and played the piano and the accordion. Later a guitar was added to their performance. They mixed opera, popular songs, blues, and Indian ballads in their presentation. They entertained in royal circles in major cities in Europe and traveled to India, Africa, and Australia.
The costumes they wore were elaborate. Rose’s gowns were described as costing a king’s ransom. She often was referred to as “The American Beauty Rose.”
The death notice of May 4, 1943, carried a column by Gertrude Cronin telling of Rose’s illness of several weeks and her subsequent death. Her husband had died nearly six years before, and she had carried on performances alone until her return to Terre Haute in January 1943.
Requiem Mass was held in St. Benedict’s Church where, during her youth, she graced the choir with her beautiful voice. She was laid to rest in Cavalry Cemetery.
In her article, Cronin says “This friendly, loyal and talented woman never forgot her home in Terre Haute and the people with whom she associated and loved.”
In an article in the Spectator in November 1975, Frances E. Hughes paid tribute to Rose and her many accomplishments.
There may be some readers who have personal memories of Rose or Roslyn Fehrenbach Pierce. Mine all came from being curious about an exquisite little jewel case which must have traveled with her and which now rests in a museum. This was a mystery I just had to investigate. Thank you, Anna Bowles Wiley, Gertrude Cronin and Frances E. Hughes, for a fascinating glimpse into the past.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.