Women of Winfield

Part 3

In the challenging times following the Count's betrayal, Mary Jane, facing financial ruin, relocated with her daughter Fannie to the remote mountain town of Winfield, Colorado. They moved in with Mary Jane's brother-in-law, Phillip Henry Symons, whose own grief and cold demeanor added to the already difficult circumstances. For example; He could not understand why she would open a can of tomatoes instead of using fresh in the middle of summer. Clearly, the practice of frugality was a mystery.

The situation further deteriorated when Mary Jane, in an attempt to find stability, married Godfried Krug. Godfried, known in Winfield for his stern and unwelcoming nature, soon made life at home unbearable, particularly for young Fannie. His difficult behavior and lack of patience for Fannie's youthful spirit led to an untenable situation. Ultimately, Fannie, at the age of 14, was forced to leave her mother's home.

Alone and without the warmth of her mother’s presence, Fannie found refuge with a neighboring family, the Thompsons, who welcomed her and provided the kindness and support she sorely needed. It is not known how that affected her relationship with her mother, but I supposed they did their best to make it work.

Mary Jane's life, meanwhile, continued under the shadow of Godfried's challenging behavior. His passing did not leave behind fond memories, and the family's decision to bury him without a headstone in the family cemetery stood as a testament to the complex and strained relationships he left behind.